Aerospace & Defense: Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Department of War set a framework with GM Defense to scale AIM-260 JATM production and support future multiyear procurement, aiming to reduce bottlenecks and improve planning across the missile supply chain. Energy Storage: Advait Group signed a 1 GWh lithium iron phosphate cell supply deal with HiTHIUM to anchor its planned 2.5 GWh BESS assembly expansion, while CATL will license battery pack tech and provide equipment/training to Egypt’s BME for a 1 GWh plant. Manufacturing Investment: KIHOMAC will invest $25M in a new Oklahoma City-area facility to expand support for Tinker Air Force Base; Kikkoman opened a $560M soy sauce plant in Jefferson, Wisconsin, creating 80+ jobs; Simpson Electric unveiled a new 20,000 sq ft facility in Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin. Industrial Innovation: Novelis is rolling out a water-based coated aluminum approach for EV battery components that could cut extra processing steps. Food & Jobs: Amy’s Kitchen plans permanent layoffs at its Pocatello canning plant as it closes Santa Rosa, California; Canada’s food and beverage sector faces a hiring need of 173K workers by 2034. Policy & Trade: Nigeria’s manufacturers urged low-interest, longer-tenor vehicle financing to replace fuel subsidy effects; Southern Africa and China-backed partners agreed to expand regional pharmaceutical manufacturing to reduce import reliance.