With the US government fully reopened after its longest shutdown in history, the Pentagon announced a flurry of nearly $9 billion in contracts on Thursday. This massive outlay includes a potential high-value win for Boeing’s Chinook line, with funds now aligned to advance a significant deal for German aircraft.
Post-Shutdown Spending Spree: Billions Released
Following a 43-day government closure, President Donald Trump signed a continuing resolution Wednesday night to reopen the government until January 30. However, some departments, including military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration, and the legislative branch, received funding through the end of fiscal year 2026. With the Pentagon’s furloughed civilian workforce back at their desks on Thursday, the department released details of more than 80 deals it reached over the nearly six-week hiatus, collectively exceeding the $9 billion mark. This figure is an estimate, representing the ceiling of some indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts or new modifications to existing contracts (source: official Pentagon announcement).
Boeing Chinook Megadeal: Germany Boosts Air Fleet
Among the most notable agreements is a contract valued at up to $876 million for 60 CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters for Germany. According to the announcement, Boeing has until late 2035 to deliver these strategic aircraft, thereby strengthening the German armed forces’ aerial transport capabilities.
Drones, Tactical Systems, and Space Infrastructure: Diverse Acquisitions
Beyond the Boeing deal, the Department of Defense also inked other key partnerships. During the shutdown period, the Army tapped AeroVironment to produce several aerial drones for international customers, including the Puma All Environment 3, the Puma Long Endurance, the Puma All Environment and Long Endurance Hybrid, and the Raven. While this deal holds a „cumulative face value” of $874 million, the service has not yet shelled out any of those funds, according to the announcement (source: Pentagon).
The Air Force, for its part, awarded Anduril Industries up to $50 million under a Small Business Innovation Research contract for its Agile-Launched, Tactically-Integrated Unmanned System (ALTIUS-600). „This contract provides for procurement and support of the ALTIUS-600 system and related Group 2 UAS variants, payloads, data links, launch tubes … to support the government’s efforts to fully integrate the ALTIUS-600 onto various platforms, as well as integrating new accessories onto the ALTIUS-600,” the announcement stated (source: Air Force).
Lastly, Blue Origin received a $78 million „contract for expansion” for space vehicle processing at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, with work slated for completion by the end of January 2028. These contracts underscore the Pentagon’s efforts to modernize and equip the armed forces with cutting-edge technologies, covering a wide spectrum of operational needs, from heavy transport to unmanned aerial systems and space infrastructure.
