The Pentagon is planning a new National Defense Science and Technology strategy, informed by the department’s upcoming National Defense Strategy, to guide how it will more quickly and effectively develop new systems for the military.

The Pentagon on Feb. 2 confirmed the U.S. and NATO are offering Russia access to missile defense sites in Europe, along with more transparency about exercises and bomber flights to the region, in an effort to de-escalate tensions with Ukraine.

The U.S. military will send fifth-generation fighters to the United Arab Emirates as that country is facing increased attacks from rebels in the region, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced following meetings with Emirati leaders.

Iraq plans to purchase an undisclosed number of JF-17 Thunder fighters, adding to the growing export tally for the Sino-Pakistan combat aircraft.

Indian defense spending is set to rise by 4.4% next year with the new budget plan emphasizing investment in indigenous programs and the local industrial base.

Then-Vice Adm. Mat Winter, the former head of the F-35 Joint Program Office, introduced a new framework more than four years ago that would guide the Lockheed Martin fighter’s follow-on modernization program with a grand new vision for a software-enabled weapon system.

Belgium has committed to around €10.2 billion ($11.4 billion) in additional defense spending over the next eight years, with procurements of helicopters and special forces aircraft to follow.

Russia’s buildup of forces near Ukraine, including the deployment of combat aircraft and ballistic missiles, is at a scale not seen since the Cold War, and top U.S. and NATO officials are continuing to press the Kremlin to draw down and trying to make room for diplomacy.