July 2026 • Page 25 of 77 • The Defense Post

Jul- 2026 -

23 July

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila, the Philippines, July 22, 2026.

Rubio Says at ASEAN Meeting He Expects ‘Positive’ US Visit by China’s Xi

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a regional Asian summit that he expects a "very positive" visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping to the US in September.

23 July

Europe

Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) concept.

Staff Writer With AFP

Leonardo Chief Sees Potential for Germany to Join GCAP Fighter Jet Project

The head of Italian defense giant Leonardo told AFP it would be "beneficial" for Germany to join an initiative led by Britain, Italy, and Japan to develop a next-generation fighter jet.

22 July

Americas

US Army personnel participate in recruiting and engagement activities. Photo: Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Reetz/DVIDS

Samantha Alexa

The US Army’s Newest Recruiter Is AI: Meet ‘Staff Sgt. Star’

The US Army has rolled out an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot designed to help recruiters find official information faster, reducing administrative workload and speeding up day-to-day recruiting tasks.

22 July

Americas

US Air Force maintainers inspect the wing of a C-5M Super Galaxy during routine maintenance at Travis Air Force Base, California. Photo: Heide Couch/DVIDS

Samantha Alexa

US Air Force Adds AI Maintenance Assistant at Travis AFB

The US Air Force has selected MetroStar Systems’ AI-powered Iris maintenance platform for deployment at Travis Air Force Base to modernize aircraft sustainment and improve maintainer safety.

22 July

Asia Pacific

Operators in a control room. Photo: Taiwan Ministry of Defense

Samantha Alexa

Explainable AI Heads to Taiwan’s Counter-Drone Fight

Canadian AI company Caseway has partnered with Taipei-based MiTAC Advance Technology to develop AI-driven decision intelligence technologies for Taiwan and allied defense markets.

22 July

Air

Bea Castañeda

Airbus H125: Guide to the High-Altitude Workhorse

From emergency medical evacuations to defense operations, the Airbus H125 has earned its reputation as one of the most versatile light utility helicopters in service.

22 July

Air

Ronald Watkins

EuroMIDS to Develop Next-Generation Tactical Data Link for European Aircraft

EuroMIDS has secured a contract to develop a next-gen tactical communications terminal to enhance data across European military aircraft.

22 July

Sea

Rendering of the Homeland Security Cutter-Light (HSC-L) icebreaker. Photo: US Coast Guard

Rojoef Manuel

US Coast Guard Opens Tender for Next-Generation Light Icebreakers

The US Coast Guard has issued a request for proposals to build up to seven Homeland Security Cutter-Light icebreakers, launching a major effort to replace its aging fleet of light icebreaking tugs that have served for more than six decades.

22 July

Technology

200325-A-PR445-1903 ARABIAN GULF (March 25, 2020) The expeditionary mobile base ship USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), left, patrols the Arabian Gulf during a joint naval and air integration operation exercise, March 25, 2020. Lewis B. Puller is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Duong Le)

Rojoef Manuel

US Navy Taps CACI for $113M Sealift Command Business Systems Overhaul

CACI International has secured a contract worth up to $113 million to upgrade key enterprise applications used by the US Navy’s Military Sealift Command.

22 July

Arms