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$LMT Martin CEO James Taiclet says their aspiration is not just to be the largest defense prime contractor but to be America's clear leader in the defense technology segment. They build mission technology roadmaps that predict what armed forces will need before it becomes evident through the acquisition system, citing PAC-3 ACE as an example of target weapons matching to get economic and capability match. They are investing in manufacturing and design capabilities before orders come in, which he believes is the right way to run the company. "I'd start by answering your question with this. We've been working a mindset change at this company for the past five years. And our aspiration is not just to be the largest defense prime contractor, but it's to be America's clear leader in the defense technology segment. And the way to get there is to be able to show that we can deliver decisive military advantage to drive deterrence to armed conflict on behalf of our government and our allies. The way we've been going about that is to build mission technology roadmaps that just don't wait for the next order. They predict, with a lot of informed relationships with our customer base what they're going to need and in some cases before it's evident and gets through their acquisition system to come up with an RFP. So we are building those technology roadmaps and investing based on our confidence in the ability to make good choices on deciding or predicting what the armed forces are going to need. There are a couple ways to get into that. One is target weapons matching. So for the various threats that come about or that we're aware of or the military has to face what is the best weapon to defeat that target. And so to just take the example you raised the PAC-3 ACE, we use PAC-3 missiles or our military uses PAC-3 missiles for a wide range. The MSE missile for a wide range of targets, has more capability than some of those targets require at a higher cost. So we just went ahead and said we know we need a PAC-3 missile that may be not as expensive and not as sophisticated. And how could two thirds of the capability of the PAC-3 MSE for call it half the price or maybe even a third of the price and that's target weapons matching. So the PAC-3 MSE can hit long range, high speed, almost intercontinental ballistic missiles. It can also defeat hypersonic missiles. And that's been demonstrated in Europe. That maneuver in the end state. But we need a lower capability, lower cost PAC-3 missile for short range ballistic missiles and for cruise missiles and drones. And so we just went ahead without an RFP or RFI or anything like that to figure out how to solve that target weapons matching problem in an environment of economic equivalence. So we want to get an economic match cost to cost and also the target weapons match for capability. And that's the way we're running the company now. That's again not only the largest contractor, so to speak, when a contract comes, we compete for it, we win it. But how do we be the clear leader in the defense technology segment to benefit our national defense? That's the mindset change we have. So yes, we are investing in the manufacturing and design capabilities before the orders come in. And I think that's the right way to run the company."

Greece has approved the largest defense export deal in Israel’s history , a $4 billion agreement for a comprehensive, Israeli-made, multi-layered air and missile defense system 🇮🇱🇬🇷 An Israeli Defense Ministry delegation is expected to travel to Athens next week to finalize the government-to-government agreement. Rafael will supply David’s Sling for intercepting ballistic missiles and the mobile SPYDER system for intercepting drones, UAVs, helicopters and low-flying aircraft. Israel Aerospace Industries will supply the Barak MX air-defense system, along with the advanced radars supporting David’s Sling and SPYDER. Integrated with a national command-and-control center, these systems will give Greece a modern, multi-layered air-defense network modeled on Israel’s own , replacing its aging American Patriot batteries and Russian-made S-300 systems. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said the system would be fully operational within 35 months, while Greek companies will produce at least 25% of its total value. Greece will become the second European customer for David’s Sling after Finland. The system has become an increasingly important part of Israel’s own air-defense architecture, including the interception of ballistic missiles. Barak MX has also been sold to Cyprus, Slovakia and other countries worldwide. The primary strategic threat facing Greece is neighboring Turkey. Despite both countries being NATO members, Ankara has repeatedly adopted an aggressive posture toward Athens and issued threats against it. This is not merely a weapons sale. It is a historic achievement for Israel’s defense industries, a powerful endorsement of Israeli technology proven under fire, and a major expansion of the strategic alliance between Israel and Greece.