Defense & Aerospace Report

On today’s program, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the answers to the three questions that will shape what US defense looks like in 2028; the outlook for ending the Ukraine war; the world economic outlook as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund hold their spring meetings in Washington; whether it matters that the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia expires in less than a year; what to expect from first quarter earnings reports this week; and a look at the week ahead.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Business Roundtable, sponsored by Bell, Dr. “Rocket” Ron Epstein of Bank of America Securities, Sash Tusa of the independent equity research firm Agency Partners, and Richard Aboulafia of the AeroDynamic advisory consultancy join host Vago Muradian to discuss another down week for markets as President Trump predicts tariffs deals with the EU, China and others after a brief tussle with Fed Chair Jerome Powell that jolted markets; Beijing stopped accepting Boeing jetliners as analysts debate what’s next for the global aerospace and defense economy; Korea says it wont fight the president’s tariffs rather will change its own as a sign of its gratitude for all America has done for the country since the Korean War; whether Europe alone can support Ukraine if Washington walks away from Kyiv; Germany blocks Britain’s possible sale of 40 Eurofighter Typhoons to Turkey to protest Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s decision to jail his leading opponent, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu; and the abrupt departure of Lockheed Martin’s chief financial officer sparks speculation whether other changes may be coming at the top of the world’s leading defense contractor; and a look ahead to first quarter 2025 earnings.

Dov Zakheim, former Pentagon Comptroller, Patrick Cronin, Asia-Pacific Security Chair at the Hudson Institute, and retired Navy commander Chris Servello discuss pressing global issues. They analyze President Trump’s trade comments, defense leaks, and the implications of Russia's attacks in Ukraine. The conversation highlights Xi Jinping’s diplomatic maneuvers in the Indo-Pacific and the evolving U.S. stance on Iran. They also contemplate the strategic ramifications of military resources in the Middle East and the legacy of defense policy leaders.

A changing global military aerospace market requires a wise observer to explain. We went to the summit, Douglas Barrie, Senior Fellow for Military Aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, to bring some order to the chaos. He gets into Ukraine lessons, Russian and Chinese airpower, NGAD’s future, and more. All powered by GE Aerospace!

On this month’s innovation conversation to highlight key topics in the countdown to the Apex technology and innovation conference  April 23-24 in Washington, sponsored by Clarion Defence, Bryan Clark, the director of the Center for Defense Concepts & Technology at the Hudson Institute, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the report he co-authored with his colleagues Dan Patt and Nadia Schadlow — “Ending Self-Imposed Scarcity: Exploiting America’s Commercial Strengths to Mobilize Weapons Production.” To learn more about the Apex conference, sponsorship and attendance opportunities please visit apexdefense.org

On this episode of the Defense & Aerospace Report Strategy Series, sponsored by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Dr. Dov Zakheim of the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a commissioner on the bi-partisan, bi-cameral National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the commission’s final report released last week, “Charting the Future of Biotechnology.”

On today’s program, sponsored by HII, Chris Servello, co-host of our Cavas Ships podcast, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss takeaways from the Navy League’s annual Sea-Air-Space conference and tradeshow last week; and Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners discusses the continuing defense and aerospace implications of President Trump’s pause on sweeping tariffs for 90 days as he ratcheted up taxes on Chinese goods; Beijing’s retaliation that includes restricting rare earth elements and permanent magnets; executive orders on US export control reform, a maritime strategy and acquisition and program reforms; and a look at the week ahead.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Business Roundtable, sponsored by Bell, Dr. “Rocket” Ron Epstein of Bank of America Securities, Sash Tusa of the independent equity research firm Agency Partners, and Richard Aboulafia of the AeroDynamic advisory consultancy join host Vago Muradian to discuss a roller coaster week for world markets as a selloff in US bonds prompted President Trump to pause for 90 days the tariffs he imposed last week; the 10 percent across the board tariffs as well as a 25 percent surcharge on steel and aluminum the president retained; China tariffs of about 150 percent and Beijing retaliation; the bond sell off as yields rose from 3.9 to 4.5 percent and what that means as Congress prepares to borrow more money as lawmakers seek to raise America’s borrowing to cover a massive tax cut package; Delta rescinded its guidance in the fact of uncertainty; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision to cancel $5 billion in services contracts; the outlook for US services firms as the government workforce is culled; the administration’s move to halve NASA’s science budget; how US efforts to normalize relations and trade with Russia will impact aerospace markets; the British government’s decision to keep open a steel plant in Scunthorpe; Indonesia’s interest in partnering with Turkey on the Kaan fighter and a new submarine program; and Boeing NGAD investment in St Louis.

Michael Herson, a top defense lobbyist, joins Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute, former Pentagon comptroller Dov Zakheim, and ex-Pentagon Europe chief Jim Townsend. They dive into how Trump's tariffs are shaking global markets and the U.S.-China trade dynamic. A $5 trillion tax cut debate amidst rising borrowing rates raises eyebrows. Discussions also touch on Ukraine's surge in war production and Bibi Netanyahu's Washington visit. The panel reflects on the geopolitical landscape, implications of U.S. defense strategies, and the Arctic military readiness.

Where do airpower, charity, and bourbon intersect? Retired E-2 Hawkeye legend Rear Admiral Scott Sanders has the answer. And CSIS’s Dr. Tom Karako joins us with the latest on air and missile defense, especially Golden Dome. All powered by GE!