Global Defense Brief: Italy Weighs Defense Cuts, France Pushes Loyal Wingman, Taiwan Receives F-16V

Recent defense developments show European defense spending and support for Ukraine facing political pressure, while equipment modernization moves ahead in Europe and the Indo-Pacific. In Italy, amid Ukraine war fatigue, the government and opposition parties are seeking to cut defense spending and support for Ukraine, and military planners could lose billions in funding.^[1]

In air power, the French Air Force plans to fly crewed fighter jets in collaboration with AI-powered combat drones in 2028 under project Hypairion, reflecting its sovereign AI push.^[4]

In the Indo-Pacific, the first two of the 66 F-16V Block 70 fighters Taiwan ordered in 2019 arrived in Taiwan on Friday after months of delays.^[6]

On service-member quality of life, the U.S. Navy has connected 90% of its unaccompanied housing to free high-speed Wi-Fi since the rollout began in November 2025.^[5]

In historical background, more than 20,000 Texas A&M cadets served in World War II, including 14,000 officers; on Dec. 19, 1944, Patton promised Eisenhower three divisions within 48 hours, and on Dec. 26 the 37th Tank Battalion’s Sherman “Cobra King” opened the corridor into Bastogne.^[2] The U.S. Navy Tennessee-class USS California displaced 32,300 tons, mounted 12 14-inch main guns and 16 5-inch guns, was rebuilt over 25 months after Pearl Harbor, and fired 63 shells in history’s last battleship duel; the ship cost $12.75 million to build and sold for $859,999 in 1959, and reached Philadelphia on Dec. 7, 1945, exactly four years after it sank.^[3]