Colin Demarest

Arlington

Future of Defense Reporter at Axios

💥💥💥 @axios. “A rascal.” Ex-@C4ISRNET, @EMPublications, @aikenstandard. Why you love to stunt but ain’t got no skrilla 💸 colin.demarest@axios(dot)com.

Articles

Israeli defense firms shut down at Paris Air Show over Gaza

1 day ago | axios.com | Colin Demarest |Dave Lawler

The Israel Aerospace Industries booth, walled off, at the Paris Air Show on June 16. Photo: Colin Demarest/AxiosPARIS — Israeli defense contractors had their booths shuttered at the Paris Air Show on Monday, amid deadly fighting between Israel and Iran. Why it matters: Israel is a defense-tech powerhouse, and its offerings are in-demand at one of the world's most prestigious aerospace-and-defense events.
As Europe sweats Trump, U.S. lawmakers seek trade show diplomacy in Paris

5 days ago | axios.com | Colin Demarest

The Patrouille de France team performs at the Paris Air Show in 2023. Photo: Christophe Archambault/AFP via Getty ImagesAt a moment of potential transatlantic fracture, some U.S. lawmakers are headed to France with a message: Washington still values its ties to Europe. The big picture: Tariffs, disagreements over Ukraine aid, questions of U.S. commitment to NATO and an American refusal at the U.N. to condemn Russian belligerence have all strained longstanding relationships. Driving the news: Sens.
Reworking Qatari jet will cost less than $400 million, says Air Force

6 days ago | axios.com | Colin Demarest

Air Force One prepares for departure as the Qatari leg of President Trump's tour ends. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty ImagesIt will cost less than $400 million to turn a luxury Qatari jet into President Trump's airborne command center, according to the U.S. Air Force.
U.S. Army can't "continue to buy VCRs" amid global security shift

6 days ago | axios.com | Colin Demarest

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George speaks with 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) soldiers in October. Photo: Kaden D. Pitt/DVIDSThe U.S. Army Transformation Initiative trotted out by service leaders last month is just the tip of the iceberg. There will be additional pivots, debates, cuts and media appearances. Why it matters: "The risk is in not changing," Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George told Axios during an interview in his Pentagon office.
Lockheed's DePietro: There's a "speed mismatch" that needs fixing

6 days ago | axios.com | Colin Demarest

Photo illustration: Axios Visuals. Photo: Courtesy of Lockheed Martin. Joe DePietro, the vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's C6ISR business, has a need for speed. Inside the defense buying-and-selling world, there's "a speed mismatch," he told Axios. "Innovation? Fast. Threat? Fast. Acquisition and fielding? Slow.""While we're working with the customers, and we're doing things like OTAs and other stuff, there's this other piece of it," he added.
U.S. airstrikes against African terror groups surge under Trump

6 days ago | axios.com | Colin Demarest

Mogadishu, Somalia, seen from the back of an MV-22 Osprey on May 14, 2025. Photo: Christopher Gross/DVIDSThe U.S. military is bombing extremist groups in the Horn of Africa, executing at least 32 strikes in Somalia this year alone. That's more than double the previous year's tally, according to Africa Command, and is a sign of enduring extremism concerns back in Washington. Why it matters: This is a war too few in the U.S. are discussing — or even realize is happening.
Defense tech giant Anduril now valued at over $30 billion

1 week ago | axios.com | Dan Primack |Colin Demarest

Anduril founder Palmer Luckey. Photo: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesAnduril, the defense tech startup led by Palmer Luckey, announced Thursday that it's raised $2.5 billion in new venture capital funding at a $30.5 billion valuation. Why it matters: This gives Anduril a repriced stock to make acquisitions. It also reflects how venture capitalists keep racing into defense tech, after largely ignoring the sector for decades.
Exclusive: Maxar and Saab seek stronger Europe in new partnership

1 week ago | axios.com | Colin Demarest

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Maxar Intelligence and Saab are expanding their partnership, this time focused on geospatial intelligence, drone autonomy and improved targeting. Why it matters: The collaboration could bolster European security at a time when Russia's war machine looms large and a rearmed continent remains a hot topic.
Indian general admits "tactical mistake" and loss of jets in Pakistan clash

1 week ago | axios.com | Colin Demarest

An Indian soldier monitors the Line of Control on May 20. Photo: Mukesh Gupta/AFP via Getty ImagesThe Indian military in recent days confirmed some of its fighter jets were shot down during clashes with Pakistan last month. Why it matters: It's the first time the country acknowledged the losses, purportedly French-made Rafale warplanes. The latest: Chief of Defense Staff Gen.
Indian general admits "tactical mistake" and loss of jets in Pakistan clash

1 week ago | flipboard.com | Colin Demarest

8 hours ago"The suspects identified in this case were actively involved in Nazi white nationalist efforts," Sheriff Derek Sanders said. SEATTLE — Law enforcement discovered a cache of weaponry and armor, including a machine gun and grenade launchers, along with Nazi paraphernalia during a raid of a home in …