LOCATIONS
MARITIME
22 Dec 25. France has formally decided to proceed with the construction of a next-generation nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the decision over the weekend, telling French troops that approval for the programme had been taken this week. The announcement, reported by Reuters on Sunday, clears the way for France to move from long-running design work into the execution phase of the project, known as the Porte-Avions de Nouvelle Génération (PA-NG). The new carrier is intended to replace the Charles de Gaulle, France’s sole aircraft carrier, which entered service in 2001 and is expected to retire in the late 2030s. At around 78,000 tonnes, the PA-NG will be substantially larger than its predecessor and, once built, would become the largest warship ever constructed in Europe. French defence officials have previously indicated that the carrier will be equipped with three electromagnetic aircraft launch systems and three advanced arresting gear systems, supplied by US firm General Atomics under a contract worth $41.6m. These systems, already in use on the US Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class carriers, will allow the French Navy to operate a broader mix of aircraft, including heavier future fighters as well as lighter uncrewed systems. The carrier is expected to embark more than 40 aircraft, including Rafale M fighters, E-2D Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft, helicopters and drones. Over time, it is also intended to support France’s future next-generation combat aircraft being developed under the Future Combat Air System programme. Design work points to a significantly enlarged flight deck of around 17,000 square metres, providing greater sortie generation rates and operational flexibility than the Charles de Gaulle. Propulsion will be provided by two new K22 nuclear reactors, each generating roughly 220 megawatts of electrical power to support all-electric ship systems as well as the demands of electromagnetic launch equipment. While Macron’s confirmation signals political commitment, major milestones remain ahead. Defence industry reporting from France earlier this year suggested the formal construction order was expected before the end of 2025, with physical build work likely to begin in the early 2030s. Full operational capability is currently targeted for around 2038. (Source: UKDJ)
22 Dec 25. Trump Announces New Class of Battleship. President Donald J. Trump today announced the Navy’s intent to develop a new class of American-designed, 30,000 to 40,000-ton large surface combatants, or battleships, that will be employed to meet the realities of modern maritime conflict.
“As commander in chief, it’s my great honor to announce that I have approved a plan for the Navy to begin the construction of two brand-new, very large — largest we’ve ever built — battleships,” Trump announced from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida. He was joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Navy Secretary John Phelan.
The new Trump-class of ships — which the president said will contribute to a new “golden fleet” of advanced warships — are currently in the design phase, with construction of the first battleship, the USS Defiant, targeted for the early 2030s. Phelan said that the new class of battleship is something the Navy “desperately needs.” The president noted that the Navy aims to have a fleet of 20 to 25 ships eventually.
“The future Trump-class battleship, the USS Defiant, will be the largest, deadliest and most versatile and best-looking warship anywhere on the world’s oceans,” Phelan said, adding that he wanted to thank the president for his vision to make the future battleship a game-changing capability for the U.S. Navy.
Phelan also compared the future Trump-class battleships to the former Iowa-class battleships, which were a cornerstone of the Navy’s warship fleet for much of the 21st century.
“The Iowa was designed to go on the attack with the biggest guns, and that’s exactly what will define the Trump-class battleships: offensive firepower from the biggest guns of our era,” Phelan said.
“This ship isn’t just to swat the arrows; it is going to reach out and kill the archers,” he added.
During his remarks, Hegseth said that strengthening the Navy’s fleet ties directly to the War Department’s key goals of restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military and reestablishing deterrence.
“American strength is back on the world stage, and the announcement of the golden fleet anchored by new battleships — the biggest and most lethal ever — accomplishes all three of those things and marks a generational commitment to American sea power across the entire department,” Hegseth said.
During the announcement, Trump made clear that the new battleships are intended to be constructed entirely in the U.S. by American citizens.
“The construction will create thousands of American jobs. We’re going to have the jobs be created,” he said.
Along with standard guns and missiles, Trump said the new battleships will be equipped with hypersonic weapons, electronic rail guns and high-powered laser-based weaponry. He added that the Navy will take the lead in the ships’ design, while partnering with the U.S. defense industrial base.
“We’re going to make battle groups great again, and this is just one piece of the president’s golden fleet that we’re going to build with the investments,” Phelan said.
The new Trump-class battleships will replace the Navy’s previous plans to develop a new class of destroyer, the DDG(X). However, the sea service intends to incorporate the capabilities it had planned to employ on that platform into the new Trump-class ships.
The last time the Navy used battleships in combat was in 1991 during the first Gulf War, when the now-decommissioned Iowa-class battleships USS Missouri and USS Wisconsin provided naval gunfire support against Iraqi targets along the coast of Kuwait.
Today’s announcement of the Trump-class battleships comes on the heels of the Navy’s Dec. 19 announcement of the FF(X), a new class of frigates intended to replace the Navy’s recently cancelled Constellation-class frigate program. (Source: U.S. DoD)
18 Dec 25. Pakistan Navy’s fourth Hangor-class submarine launched in China. With the launch of Ghazi, all four Hangor-class submarines built in China for Pakistan Navy have entered sea trials. The Pakistan Navy has launched its fourth Hangor-class submarine, named Ghazi, at the Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group’s Shuangliu Base in Wuhan, China. With this launch, all four submarines constructed in China as part of a bilateral agreement are now undergoing sea trials, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. These vessels are now said to be in the final phases of delivery to Pakistan. Pakistan entered into an agreement with China for the acquisition of eight Hangor-class submarines. Of these, four are being built in China, while the remaining four will be produced in Pakistan by Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW) under a technology transfer arrangement. These submarines will carry modern weapons and sensors that can engage targets from a standoff distance. The Hangor-class submarines are diesel-electric attack vessels equipped with air-independent propulsion systems, allowing them to remain submerged for longer periods, according to a report in Pakistan Today.
“Hangor-class submarines will be pivotal in maintaining peace and stability in the region,” ISPR stated.
Senior officials from both Pakistan and China joined the launching ceremony. The unveiling of the first Hangor-class submarine took place in April 2024 at Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group in Wuhan. The second submarine followed in March 2025, with the third submarine of the class, PNS Mangro (Desig), launched in August 2025. The Hangor-class takes its name from PNS Hangor, known for sinking an enemy warship during the 1971 conflict between Pakistan and India, Pakistan Today reported. That vessel was decommissioned and is currently on display at the Pakistan Maritime Museum in Karachi. In April 2025r, the Pakistan Navy also inducted PNS Yamama, its fourth offshore patrol vessel, into service at Jinnah Naval Base Ormara. (Source: naval-technology.com)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
27 Dec 25. UK Armed forces to launch ‘Gap Year’ scheme for young people to bolster skills and leadership. Armed Forces to launch “gap year” Foundation Scheme in 2026 to give under-25s experience of armed forces Britain’s young people will be given new opportunities to experience military service through a ‘gap year’ Foundation Scheme set to launch in 2026. A first wave of around 150 participants will open for recruitment from early 2026, offering young people a year of paid experience and training in the Armed Forces: across the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Ministers have an ambition to eventually grow the scheme to over 1,000 young people subject to interest. The scheme, which will launch in March, will offer young people bespoke training courses aimed at giving them the skills and attributes to set them up for success in either military or civilian life, bolstering their employability or providing a route into an exciting career in the Armed Forces. The scheme will equip those who may be unsure on their career direction with problem solving, teamwork and leadership skills, as well as offering unique opportunities including undergoing basic training, or experiencing life at sea. It forms part of the Government’s drive towards a “whole of society” approach to defence – a key theme of this year’s Strategic Defence Review – reconnecting the public with those who serve, strengthening awareness of the role the Armed Forces play, and giving the next generation the skills and experience to unlock their potential. The scheme is informed by the success of the Australian Defence Force’s ‘ADF Gap Year’ scheme, which was cited in the UK Government’s Strategic Defence Review as an “exciting model from which to learn” and has been running for over a decade. The announcement follows a “rallying cry” from the head of the Armed Forces, Sir Richard Knighton, who has set out the need for a whole-nation response to an increasingly volatile and uncertain world. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
22 Dec 25. FY25 Sees Best Recruiting Numbers in 15 Years. In fiscal year 2025, the military’s recruiting efforts returned to levels not seen in more than a decade.
“Since November 2024, our military has seen its highest recruiting percentage of mission achieved in more than 15 years,” stated Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell.
This fiscal year, all active-duty services made mission. Most reserve components also met their mission goals, with the exception of the Army Reserve, which met 75% of its goal.
How the active-duty components of each branch met their goals breaks down as follows:
- The Army had a goal of 61,000 recruits and attained 62,050, totaling 101.72% of its goal.
- The Navy had a goal of 40,600 recruits and attained 44,096, totaling 108.61% of its goal.
- The Air Force had a goal of 30,100 recruits and attained 30,166, totaling 100.22% of its goal.
- The Space Force had a goal of 796 recruits and attained 819, totaling 102.89% of its goal.
- The Marine Corps had a goal of 26,600 recruits and attained 26,600, totaling 100% of its goal.
All told, the five service branches collectively accomplished their mission with an average completion rate of 103%. Department leaders noted several factors that contributed to the strong recruitment numbers.
“In 2025, the department exceeded our annual active-duty recruitment accession goals across all five services. … Why? Because we have a commander in chief and a secretary of war who are focused on our troops and our mission, and on ensuring that we remain the most lethal fighting force on the planet,” Undersecretary of War for Personnel and Readiness Anthony J. Tata said during a speech at a defense forum earlier this month.
“Our nation’s young people are responding,” he added.
Parnell also noted that leadership was a major factor in this year’s recruiting results.
“If you look at the data from November, from the election of President Trump and then Secretary Hegseth’s confirmation thereafter, the numbers that we’ve seen during that time period have been historic.”
Tata and Parnell co-chair the department’s Recruitment Task Force.
Beyond the quality of leadership in recruitment, driving up numbers, the services have instituted practical improvements that are supporting recruiting gains. These changes include courses that help improve overall aptitude among recruits and enhanced medical screening processes. As an example of the latter, a medical records accession pilot program has significantly cut down on waiting times from when a recruit’s initial paperwork is submitted to when they are allowed to be taken in by their local Military Entrance Processing Station. As little as a year ago, it could take up to 10 days between when a recruiter submits a recruit’s initial accession paperwork and when that individual could find out if they have been cleared. Today, it takes one day or less. The new focus on speed helps avoid potential recruits from losing interest in serving. Regarding the current fiscal year, the department’s recruiting efforts are already off to a strong and promising start, with the department having met nearly 40% of its delayed entry program accession mission at the start of fiscal year 2026.
“This is a historic figure and a testament to our support from the president and the secretary, as well as the great work being done by each of the services,” said Tata. “The department is on track to once again meet our recruiting mission.”
There are always challenges in recruiting, with recruiters continuously working to increase interest among the youth market and medical disqualifiers plaguing the potential recruiting pool among them. To address some of these, the department is working to counter any pervasive misconceptions among the youth market about what it means to serve by highlighting the benefits of wearing the country’s cloth.
“Recruiting is a no-fail mission,” Tata said. “We will continue to maintain focus on sustaining our momentum, meeting our targets and securing the warriors we need to achieve peace through strength.” (Source: U.S. DoD)
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
18 Dec 25. Dr Christian Turner CMG, one of the UK’s most experienced senior diplomats at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States of America.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
22 Dec 25. USN Rear Adm. Richard E. Seif, Jr., for appointment to the grade of vice admiral, with assignment as commander, Naval Submarine Forces/commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and commander, Allied Submarine Command, Norfolk, Virginia. Seif is currently serving as program manager, Australia-United Kingdom-U.S. Integration and Acquisition, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 25. USN Vice Adm. Robert M. Gaucher for reappointment to the grade of vice admiral, with assignment as submarine direct reporting portfolio manager, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Gaucher is currently serving as commander, Naval Submarine Forces/Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet/Commander, Allied Submarine Command, Norfolk, Virginia.
18 Dec 25. USN Vice Adm. Jeffrey T. Jablon, for reappointment to the grade of vice admiral, with assignment as deputy commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Jablon is currently serving as deputy chief of Naval Operations for Installations and Logistics, N4, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 25. USN Rear Adm. Douglas C. Verissimo, for appointment to the grade of vice admiral, with assignment as commander, Naval Air Forces/Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, San Diego, California. Verissimo most recently served as commander, Naval Air Forces, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk, Virginia.
18 Dec 25. USN Rear Adm. Darin K. Via for appointment to the grade of vice admiral, with assignment as director for Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, Virginia. Via is currently serving as surgeon general of the USN, N093/Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Falls Church, Virginia.
18 Dec 25. USN Capt. Milton W. Troy III for appointment to the grade of rear admiral (lower half). Troy is currently serving as director, Fleet Supply and Ordnance, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia.
18 Dec 25. USAF Gen. John D. Lamontagne for appointment to the grade of general, with assignment as vice chief of staff, U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Lamontagne is currently serving as commander, Air Mobility Command, Scott USAF Base, Illinois.
18 Dec 25. Army Lt. Gen. Joshua M. Rudd for appointment to the grade of general, with assignment as director, National Security Agency/chief, Central Security Service/commander, U.S. Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland. Rudd is currently serving as deputy commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii.
18 Dec 25. Army LG Patrick M. Frank for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general with assignment as deputy commander, U.S. Central Command, MacDill USAF Base, Florida. Frank is currently serving as commanding general, U.S. Army Central, Shaw USAF Base, South Carolina.
18 Dec 25. USAF LG Linda S. Hurry for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commander, USAF Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson USAF Base, Ohio. Hurry is currently serving as deputy commander, USAF Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson USAF Base, Ohio.
18 Dec 25. USAF LG Stephen F. Jost for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commander, U.S. Forces Japan, Yokota Air Base, Japan. Jost is currently serving as commander, U.S. Forces Japan, and commander, Fifth USAF, Pacific USAFs, Yokota Air Base, Japan.
18 Dec 25. USAF MG Joel L. Carey for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commander, Fifth USAF, Pacific USAFs, Yokota Air Base, Japan. Carey is currently serving as chief of staff, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii.
18 Dec 25. USAF MG Luke C. G. Cropsey for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as military deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the USAF (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics), U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Cropsey is currently serving as program executive officer, Command, Control, Communications, and Battle Management, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the USAF (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics), Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 25. USMC MG Lorna M. Mahlock for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy commander, U.S. Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland. Mahlock is currently serving as the commander, Cyber National Mission Force, U.S. Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland.
18 Dec 25. Army MG Steven M. Marks for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general with assignment as vice commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Marks is currently serving as director, J-8, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill USAF Base, Florida.
18 Dec 25. USAF MG Jefferson J. O’Donnell for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy chief of staff, Manpower, Personnel and Services, Headquarters, U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. O’Donnell is currently serving as commander, USAF Personnel Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.
18 Dec 25. USMC MG Sean M. Salene for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as U.S. security coordinator, Israel-Palestinian Authority, Jerusalem, Israel. Salene is currently performing the duties of deputy commander, U.S. Central Command, Tampa, Florida.
18 Dec 25. USAF MG Thomas M. Suelzer for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as director, Air National Guard Bureau, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Suelzer is currently serving as the adjutant general, Texas National Guard, Camp Mabry, Texas.
18 Dec 25. USAF BG Christopher A. Eason for appointment to the grade of major general, with assignment as the judge advocate general of the USAF, Headquarters, U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Eason is currently serving as chief of staff, Joint Force Headquarters, Oklahoma Air National Guard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
18 Dec 25. USMC BG Raymond L. Adams for appointment to the grade of major general. Adams is currently serving as deputy commander and chief of staff, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Joint Warfare Center, Allied Command Transformation, Stavanger, Norway.
18 Dec 25. Army BG Phillip C. Baker for appointment to grade of major general. Baker is currently serving as director, Future of Vertical Lift Cross Functional Team, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.
18 Dec 25. Army BG Matthew W. Brown for appointment to the grade of major general. Brown is currently serving as commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Djibouti.
18 Dec 25. Army BG John P. Cogbill for appointment to the grade of major general. Cogbill is currently serving as commanding general, 11th Airborne Division and U.S. Army Alaska, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
18 Dec 25. Army BG Rhett R. Cox for appointment to the grade of major general. Cox is currently serving as special assistant to deputy chief of staff, G-2, U.S. Army, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 25. Army BG Jason A. Curl for appointment to grade of major general. Curl is currently serving as commanding general, Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, Fort Polk, Louisiana.
18 Dec 25. Army BG James K. Dooghan for appointment to the grade of major general. Dooghan is currently serving as commanding general, U.S. Army Japan and I Corps (Forward), Japan.
18 Dec 25. Army BG Antoinette R. Gant for appointment to the grade of major general. Gant is currently serving as commanding general, Military District of Washington/commander, Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 25. Army BG Kirk E. Gibbs for appointment to the grade of major general. Gibbs is currently serving as deputy chief of engineers, Office of the Chief of Engineers/deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 25. Army BG Bernard J. Harrington for appointment to the grade of major general. Harrington is currently serving as commanding general, 7th Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
18 Dec 25. USMC BG John K. Jarrard for appointment to the grade of major general. Jarrard is currently serving as commanding general, 4th Marine Division, New Orleans, Louisiana.
18 Dec 25. Army BG Paige M. Jennings for appointment to the grade of major general. Jennings is currently serving as director, J-1, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 25. Army BG Martine S. Kidd for appointment to the grade of major general. Kidd is currently serving as director for logistics and engineering, J-4, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii.
18 Dec 25. Army BG Kevin J. Lambert for appointment to the grade of major general. Lambert is currently serving as commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, Iraq.
18 Dec 25. Army BG Joseph G. Lock for appointment to the grade of major general. Lock is currently serving as deputy chief of staff, operations, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Belgium.
18 Dec 25. Army BG John W. Lubas for appointment to the grade of major general. Lubas is currently serving as commanding general, 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart, Fort Stewart, Georgia.
18 Dec 25. Army BG Rebecca B. McElwain for appointment to the grade of major general. McElwain is currently serving as director of army budget, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and Comptroller), Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 25. Army BG Mark D. Miles for appointment to the grade of major general. Miles is currently serving as deputy commanding general, Cyber Center of Excellence, Fort Gordon, Georgia.
18 Dec 25. Army BG Shane P. Morgan for appointment to the grade of major general. Morgan is currently serving as deputy director for regional operations and force management, J-3, Joint Staff, Pentagon Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 25. Army BG Mark W. Siekman for appointment to the grade of major general. Siekman is currently serving as director for logistics, J-4, Northern American Aerospace Defense Command/U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.
18 Dec 25. Army BG Patrick A. Teague for appointment to the grade of major general. Teague is currently serving as senior defense official and defense attaché, U.S. Defense Attaché Office, India.
18 Dec 25. Army Col. Roger B. Benton for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Benton is currently serving as U.S. property and fiscal officer, Alabama National Guard, Montgomery, Alabama.
18 Dec 25. Army Col. Paul R. Helten for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Helten is currently serving as U.S. property and fiscal officer, North Dakota National Guard, Fraine Barracks, North Dakota.
18 Dec 25. Army Col. Clifton C. Kyle for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Kyle is currently serving as commander, 353rd Civil Affairs Command, Staten Island, New York.
18 Dec 25. Army Col. Clinton Mead for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Mead is currently serving as deputy commanding general, U.S. Army John Fitzgerald Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
18 Dec 25. USAF Col. Scott C. Mills for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Mills is currently serving as senior executive officer to the Chief of Staff, U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 25. Army Col. Tracy Michael for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Michael is currently serving as commander, 68th Medical Command (Deployment Support), Germany.
18 Dec 25. Army Col. Brad W. Pierson for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Pierson is currently serving as chief of the joint staff, Joint Force Headquarters, Pennsylvania National Guard, Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, Pennsylvania.
18 Dec 25. USAF Col. Bryan W. Preece for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Preece is currently serving as the chief of the Joint Staff, West Virginia National Guard Headquarters, Charleston, West Virginia.
18 Dec 25. USAF Col. Nashid A. Salahuddin for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Salahuddin is currently serving as the director of human resources, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
22 Dec 25. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY) announced today the promotion of Dr. JihFen Lei to Senior Vice President of Teledyne Technologies. In this role, Dr. Lei will continue to lead Teledyne FLIR Defense and will assume responsibility for Teledyne’s Aerospace and Defense Electronics Segment, effective January 1, 2026. This group of businesses, collectively referred to as the Teledyne Defense and Aerospace Group, includes a wide variety of advanced products and technologies, from high reliability electronic components, subsystems, energetics, and avionics in the Aerospace and Defense Electronics Segment, to FLIR Defense’s high performance unmanned, surveillance, and detection systems. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)