Defense & Aerospace Report Podcast [Feb 01 ’26 Business Report]
Feb 1, 2026
Richard Aboulafia, aerospace strategist; Sash Tusa, European defense analyst; Dr. “Rocket” Ron Epstein, Bank of America aerospace equity analyst. They discuss market swings and tech weakness. They cover Europe boosting defense spending and sovereignty moves. They debate transatlantic trade frictions, aircraft certification tensions, and Boeing’s KC-46 charges. They review earnings and commercial aerospace developments.
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Market Volatility Hits Different Subsectors
- eVTOL and next-generation aviation stocks plunged while defense names outperformed during a volatile market week.
- Ron Epstein links tech and crypto shocks to increased market gyrations that can spill into aerospace and defense positions.
Airbus Slows The European Rally
- European aerospace and defense stocks fell about 3% as investor sentiment cooled.
- Airbus led weakness after cautioning on a slow first half tied to dollar headwinds and fuselage-panel issues, per Sash Tusa.
Many Small Space Programs Build Sovereignty
- Europe is building multiple sovereign space and niche capabilities rather than a single star-level system.
- Sash Tusa sees many small specialized LEO programs collectively giving Europe strategic options and autonomy.



