Top stories
Lawmakers back White House FY26 plans for more troops, 3.8% pay hike
The military's active-duty end strength would grow by about 26,000 troops next year under plans being considered in the House and Senate.
Delays in Navy’s next-gen submarine threaten US seapower, report says
The delay could have an impact on the country's warfighting capabilities and ability to maintain undersea superiority, a new report to Congress says.
Latest
US commander says China has failed to coerce rivals in South China Sea
Adm. Stephen Koehler gave assurances of U.S. commitment to help defend freedom of passage and the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region.
New aircraft carriers face years of delivery delays
Delivery of the Navy's next Ford-class aircraft carrier, the John F. Kennedy, was delayed two more years to 2027, budget documents show.
Army tests robotic coyotes to defend fighter jets
Unmanned ground vehicles mounted with life-size plastic coyotes are one idea proposed as part of a new effort to keep wildlife away from military aircraft.
Navy to clear records for some sailors who refused COVID-19 vaccine
The settlement comes as the result of a class-action lawsuit brought by sailors who denied the COVID-19 vaccine due to religious reasons.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Pentagon & Congress
House panel to mark up annual defense authorization bill this week
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of July 14, 2025.
Iran hit dome on US air base in Qatar in June attack: Report
The Pentagon has acknowledged that an Iranian ballistic missile hit Al Udeid Air Base in June during an Iranian attack after Trump downplayed the assault.
Opinion
Why service members deserve the right to repair
Service members need the tools, parts and authority to make immediate fixes themselves, without having to navigate red tape
Appeals court throws out plea deal for alleged 9/11 mastermind
Friday's decision undoes an attempt to wrap up more than two decades of military prosecution beset by legal and logistical troubles.
In other news
Proposed Senate defense bill would add $500M in long-term Ukraine aid
The Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative is one of two main ways the Pentagon has provided military support to Ukraine over the last three years.
VIDEOS
Get a look at Elbit’s enhanced binocular night vision goggles
Looking to see thermal and intensified imagery at the same time? Want real-time data in your eye instead of checking a map? Check out Elbit America’s new NVGs.
Featured Videos
SPECIAL FEATURES
Sea-Air-Space 2025 Coverage
Defense News is reporting on the top headlines and news coming out of Navy League’s annual show.
Insurance Guide
Military Times has outlined helpful information about car insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance for troops.
2025 PCS Guide
Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
2025 Benefits Guide
Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
‘A new challenge’: Air Force vet becomes two-time living organ donor
Air Force veteran Lindsay Gutierrez is a two-time living organ donor after giving a kidney to a fellow veteran and part of her liver to another recipient.
An ode to Dwight Schrute, The Office’s best squad leader
He'd rub people the wrong way in a real squad. But he'd also make sure you had water, ammo and a working red lens flashlight on the night of land nav.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
Why Despicable Me’s Gru is just a warrant officer with better branding
If Gru wore a uniform, it wouldn’t have stars or stripes. It would have a coffee stain and rank that no one really understands.
Why Patrick Star is the blue falcon of Bikini Bottom
Patrick Star is every lovable mess-up squadmate who cost you a weekend because he couldn’t keep his mouth shut during formation.
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MORE STORIES
Navy identifies three vessels impacted by faulty shipyard weld work
The bad welds are not on components that would impact ship safety or operations, but the Navy said it is reviewing at least 23 potentially impacted ships.
Trump claimed that Democrats would use military and overseas absentee ballots to 'cheat' in the election, but experts say the system makes that nearly impossible
Experts say widespread voter fraud in military and overseas citizens ballots would be very difficult, given the nature of the system.
By Karen Jowers
USS Oscar Austin heads to Spain for beefed up destroyer presence
The Oscar Austin, which got underway from Naval Station Norfolk on Monday, is the first of two new destroyers set to arrive in Rota.
By Diana Stancy
Watch the USS Bulkeley help shoot down Iran’s missile attack on Israel
The Navy destroyers Bulkeley and Cole put in work Tuesday, playing a role in stopping Iran's ballistic missile attack on Israel, according to the Pentagon.
Navy bounces back, surpasses recruiting goals for Fiscal Year 2024
The service reported it ultimately signed up a total of 40,978 new recruits in FY24 – up from its goal of 40,600 new sailors.
By Diana Stancy
Trump downplays troop brain injuries from Iran attack as ‘headaches’
“What does injured mean?” Trump said. “You mean because they had a headache?"
VA employees improperly viewed health records of both VP candidates
Department of Justice officials are looking into whether the actions by VA staff warrant criminal charges.
USS Abraham Lincoln to remain in Middle East amid rising tensions
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
By Diana Stancy