Top Defense Shifts of 2025 Reshape US Strategy
In a year marked by accelerated defense modernization and shifting global alliances, several key developments captured widespread attention within the defense community and beyond. According to “Breaking Defense’s 5 Most-Clicked Stories of 2025,” published by Breaking Defense, the most-read articles of the year reflect deep public and professional interest in emerging military technologies, strategic policy shifts, and the evolving role of the Department of Defense amid geopolitical uncertainty.
Topping the list was Breaking Defense’s exclusive on the U.S. Army’s selection of Anduril Industries to lead the development of the Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft System (FTUAS). The contract, valued at nearly $1 billion over the next decade, signaled a stark pivot toward tech-centric defense innovation and reaffirmed the Department of Defense’s intention to cultivate partnerships with Silicon Valley-born firms. Anduril’s autonomous Ghost drone platform, praised for its operational flexibility and rapid deployability, was cited as a key factor in the Army’s decision, displacing more traditional defense contractors and underscoring a generational shift in procurement philosophy.
In second place was the article detailing General Electric Aerospace’s surprise capture of the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) engine contract, a major win that reorients the competitive landscape for the future U.S. Air Force fighter platform. The Air Force’s decision to move forward with GE’s XA100 adaptive cycle engine over the long-time incumbent Pratt & Whitney marked a strategic bet on advanced thermodynamic performance and fuel efficiency. The program, central to the Next Generation Air Dominance initiative, remains critical amid growing concerns over near-peer threats in the Indo-Pacific region.
The third most popular story focused on the U.S. Space Force’s milestone announcement of a permanent presence in geostationary orbit, including the deployment of its first operational counterspace platform. This move, which senior officials characterized as necessary for preserving freedom of access to key orbital lanes, represents a significant doctrinal shift toward the normalization of military activities in space. While the Pentagon declined to provide technical specifications, analysts believe the platform may include advanced jamming or kinetic intercept capabilities, heightening tensions with rival spacefaring nations.
Fourth on the list was Breaking Defense’s investigative coverage of the Navy’s struggles with its Constellation-class frigate procurement timeline. The follow-up report illuminated delays in shipyard modernization efforts and supply chain bottlenecks, casting doubt on the Navy’s ability to meet its ambitious force structure targets by the early 2030s. The article drew national attention for its detailed examination of institutional inertia and its implications for maritime readiness in increasingly contested waters.
Rounding out the top five was a policy-oriented piece analyzing the Department of Defense’s 2025 Cyber Posture Review, which recommended deep structural overhauls of the military’s cybersecurity doctrine. The strategy emphasized defensive cyber operations, digital infrastructure resilience, and workforce training, while also acknowledging growing risks posed by generative AI tools in cyber warfare. The DoD’s plan to consolidate cyber capabilities under a newly established Joint Cyber Command sparked significant debate across Capitol Hill and amongst defense scholars regarding operational effectiveness and command integration.
Collectively, these stories from Breaking Defense provide a revealing snapshot of the U.S. defense apparatus in transition, grappling with the dual imperatives of technological innovation and strategic realignment. As the United States continues to adapt to a dynamic global threat environment, the year’s most-clicked defense stories suggest both the promise and the peril embedded in this moment of military transformation.
