Trump takes aim at major defense firms, demands faster production
Release Date: 01/13/2026
How Trump wants to change American weapon sales abroad
The Weekly Break Out
Another week means another executive order — this time with President Donald Trump looking to . In the latest edition of The Weekly Break Out, Editor-in-Chief Aaron Mehta and Air Warfare Reporter Michael Marrow talk through how this might impact global weapon sales. Then after the break, the two preview the upcoming Munich Security Conference and how it could be a tease for the 2028 presidential election. Underwritten by Leonardo DRS. Visit for more defense news throughout the week.
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What to watch: Trump vs. Canada, Saudi F-35s, new naval tech
The Weekly Break Out
President Donald Trump has again come out swinging in a Truth Social post — this time against the in retaliation for the country’s delayed certification of US-made Gulfstream jets for use in Canada. On a new episode of , Editor-in-Chief Aaron Mehta and Deputy Editor Lee Ferran flag how the heated rivalry could affect America’s militarized variants of Canada’s Bombardier airframes. Then, they look ahead to two major conferences: World Defense Show in Saudi Arabia, where new details of the kingdom’s push to own the F-35 could emerge, and WEST 2026, the annual naval expo...
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Trump targets defense giants in Davos as Qatari Air Force One nears takeoff
The Weekly Break Out
President Donald Trump used the in Davos to escalate his pressure campaign on the US defense industry to . Meanwhile, new reporting reveals the controversial , intended to serve as an interim Air Force One, could fly as soon as this summer, raising fresh questions about security upgrades, contractors and timelines. On a new episode of , Editor-in-Chief Aaron Mehta and Deputy Editor Lee Ferran break down what Trump said, why it matters for heading into earnings call season and what to watch next in the Air Force One saga. Underwritten by Leonardo DRS. Visit for...
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Who’s who in Air Force acquisition, and new surface Navy tech
The Weekly Break Out
What’s in a name? Here’s who the Air Force has tapped to be program acquisition executives as the Pentagon rebrands its program executive officers. Then, tours the show floor at the Surface Navy Association’s 2026 conference for a peek at an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, a solar-powered maritime drone, a floating combat hospital and more.
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Trump takes aim at major defense firms, demands faster production
The Weekly Break Out
It was a Truth Social post that shook the defense industry: President Donald Trump lashed out at big defense contractors over stock buybacks and CEO pay. Get caught up, and then see what there is to "sea" at this week's Surface Navy Association conference.
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Lessons learned from the US raid on Venezuela
The Weekly Break Out
The United States carried out what may become one of the most consequential military raids in modern history. In this episode of The Weekly Break Out, CSIS defense expert Mark Cancian analyzes the US operation in Venezuela, explaining how American forces penetrated Russian-made S-300 air defense systems, leveraged Cyber Command and Space Command and executed a complex joint mission without American losses. The discussion explores what the raid reveals about Russian air defense weaknesses, lessons learned from past US failures and what China and Russia can — and cannot — replicate,...
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New National Security Strategy drops as Congress floats $901B NDAA
The Weekly Break Out
This week on The Weekly Break Out, Aaron Mehta and Lee Ferran break down the Trump administration's new National Security Strategy, what it signals for Europe, Russia and homeland defense — and how it aligns with what we heard at the Reagan National Defense Forum. Then after the break, the hosts dig into the compromise 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, including why lawmakers added $8 billion above the Pentagon’s request and why this year’s bill stayed clean. Underwritten by Leonardo DRS.
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Navy cancels Constellation-Class Frigate + Reagan Forum Preview
The Weekly Break Out
The Navy’s decision to cancel its Constellation-class frigate program has shifted from quiet speculation to front-page news. In this episode of The Weekly Break Out, Breaking Defense unpacks what might come next for Fincantieri and US sailors. Then the conversation moves west to Simi Valley, where the upcoming Reagan National Defense Forum is set to gather defense officials, lawmakers, generals and CEOs for one of the most influential policy events of the year. We lay out the themes and personalities expected to dominate the conference, including White House budget office boss Russ Vought....
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What's new at the Dubai Airshow + touring the F-35
The Weekly Break Out
At the 2025 Dubai Airshow, Breaking Defense breaks down the biggest trends in combat aviation in the Middle East — from a surge in autonomous systems to global competition between the US, Russia, China and more. Agnes Helou and Michael Marrow highlight what’s driving demand in the region and what’s new on the show floor. Then, we take you on a walkaround tour of an F-35 with a fighter pilot who explains the jet’s sensors, weapons, engine, stealth features and how Block 4 upgrades enable manned-unmanned teaming with CCAs. Underwritten by Leonardo DRS. . 0:00 — Autonomous systems...
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New plans for US Cyber Command and Army helicopter training - The Weekly Break Out
The Weekly Break Out
US Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) is rethinking its anticipated “2.0” overhaul — but the final plan looks different from what many expected. On this episode of The Weekly Break Out, Breaking Defense’s Deputy Editor Lee Ferran and Senior Networks and Information Warfare Reporter Mark Pomerleau walk through what actually changed, what didn’t, and why CYBERCOM’s update is now more about talent generation and training infrastructure than sweeping structural reforms. Then, Land Warfare Reporter Carley Welch breaks down the Army’s Flight School Next initiative, a back-to-basics push to...
info_outlineIt was a Truth Social post that shook the defense industry: President Donald Trump lashed out at big defense contractors over stock buybacks and CEO pay. Get caught up, and then see what there is to "sea" at this week's Surface Navy Association conference.