"This Week in Defense: Military Partnerships, Air Force Advancement, and Border Operations"

# DoD Update: This Week in Defense

Welcome to our defense news update for May 19, 2025. I'm your host, and today we're covering the latest developments from the Department of Defense.

Leading our headlines this week is the Pentagon's focus on strengthening Middle East ties, alongside new Air Force leadership appointments and an expanding Poland partnership. These strategic moves reflect DoD's ongoing commitment to bolstering international security cooperation during a period of heightened global tensions.

In technology news, the Air Force has revealed impressive specifications for its next-generation F-47 fighter jet, which will have a 70% better combat radius than the F-22. The service plans to purchase at least 185 of these sixth-generation fighters, representing a significant investment in air superiority capabilities.

Special Operations Command is likely to see new leadership soon, with sources indicating Vice Admiral Mitch Bradley, currently JSOC commander, as the frontrunner for the SOCOM position. The White House reportedly "loves" Bradley, though final decisions haven't been announced yet.

The Defense Innovation Unit announced several new initiatives this month, including the Blue UAS program evolution to meet broader DoD needs and a solicitation for Joint Low-Collateral Defeat Capabilities supporting the Replicator 2 program.

Budget-wise, the proposed funding for DoD in fiscal year 2025 totals $850 billion, representing a slight decrease from 2024 when adjusted for inflation. Over the next five years, day-to-day operations costs are projected to increase from $522 billion to $537 billion, while acquisition costs will see minimal growth overall.

At the southern border, DoD continues supporting Homeland Security operations following President Trump's national emergency declaration. The military has been tasked with providing detention space, transportation, and constructing additional physical barriers.

For military families, the department plans a 4.5% military pay raise in 2025, consistent with expected growth in the Employment Cost Index.

Looking ahead, the Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence winners were recently announced, recognizing bases demonstrating superior resource management.

For more detailed information on these developments, visit Defense.gov or follow the DoD's official social media channels.

That's all for this week's defense update. Join us next time as we continue tracking the policies and decisions shaping America's military and national security.