Defense Tech

EuroTrophy Expands Active Protection System Across Europe
EuroTrophy is on a mission to revolutionize armored vehicle safety across Europe with its cutting-edge Active Protection System, starting with a landmark delivery of two Trophy-equipped Leopard 2A8 tanks to Norway. Every new Leopard 2A8 tank rolling out of the factory will now come standard with Trophy, says Managing Director Dan Kalfus.

Austal USA Appoints Gene Miller as President
Austal USA has officially appointed Gene Miller as its President, solidifying its leadership team and charting a course for continued success. With his extensive experience and proven track record, Miller is poised to drive Austal USA forward, building on the momentum established during his interim presidency.

Navy Deploys Drones to Sink Warship in Live-Fire Exercise
In a thrilling display of modern naval power, the US Navy successfully sank a warship using drones in a live-fire exercise, marking a significant milestone in military technology. The operation, part of the UNITAS 2026 exercise, involved a littoral combat ship launching four aerial drones and a surface vessel to take down the decommissioned USS Simpson.

US Navy Eyes F/A-18 Super Hornets to Replace F-5 Adversaries
The US Navy is considering a major upgrade to its adversary fleet, potentially replacing its aging F-5 aircraft with F/A-18 Super Hornets, a move that could bring a significant boost to training exercises. Congress is pushing for a rapid update on the plans, with a report due by March 2027.

Congress Targets Trump Class Battleship Over Immature Weapon Systems
Congress is putting the brakes on the Trump Class Battleship program, refusing to let the Navy move forward with construction until the weapon systems are proven to be mature and ready for action. The proposed legislation would require the Secretary of the Navy to certify that the ship's technology is up to par before a contract can be signed.

Gulf States Target Turkish Air Defense Tech After Iran Attacks
Gulf states are turning to Turkey for cutting-edge air defense tech, specifically Roketsan's Cirit missile and Alka directed-energy weapon, following recent Iran attacks. The systems offer cost-effective and innovative solutions for defense against drones and other threats.

Airbus Explores Saab Partnership for Sixth-Gen Fighter
Airbus is shaking up the plans for Europe's next-gen fighter, with CEO Michael Schoellhorn revealing the company is eager to join forces with Sweden and Saab to develop a cutting-edge crewed fighter aircraft. The potential partnership could breathe new life into the ambitious sixth-gen fighter project.

US Air Force Restructures Space Acquisition Portfolios
The US Air Force is still fine-tuning its space acquisition portfolios, with key decisions on program alignments yet to be made. Department of the Air Force acting space acquisition czar Thomas Ainsworth confirms that the restructuring process is ongoing, with several roles and portfolio acquisition executives still in flux.

Ukraine Ramps Up Ground Robot Arsenal Amid Drone Warfare
Ukraine is gearing up its robotic arsenal with a bold goal to produce 50,000 unmanned ground vehicles this year, and defense-tech incubator Brave1 is on a mission to make it happen. With a thriving industrial base of 280 companies and 550 UGV models, Ukraine is poised to revolutionize its ground robot capabilities amid the ongoing drone warfare.

Pakistan Air Force Deepens Ties with Baykar in Drone Tech Push
The Pakistan Air Force is taking its drone technology to new heights with a strategic partnership with Baykar, a leading innovator in the field. This game-changing collaboration was sealed during a high-level meeting between Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Baykar Technologies Group Chairman Selçuk Bayraktar.

China's Paramilitary Forces Upgrade Riot Control Arsenal
China's paramilitary police are taking riot control to a whole new level with an arsenal of heavy-hitting gear, including 35 mm automatic grenade launchers typically used on the front lines. The PAP First Mobile Corps recently showcased their fire-support platoon equipped with this powerful tech, blurring the lines between crowd management and combat.

US Bolsters Israel's Air Refueling Capacity with KC-46 Delivery
The Israeli Air Force just took a major leap forward with the delivery of its first KC-46 tanker from the US, ditching its decades-old fleet of retrofitted Boeing 707s for a cutting-edge aerial refueling capability. This game-changing upgrade will supercharge Israel's entire fleet of 4th- and 5th-generation fighters.

Canada Taps Polish Drones to Bolster Defense Ties with EU Backing
Canada is set to boost its defense capabilities with cutting-edge Polish drones, including the advanced Warmate, FlyeEye, and Gladius models, as part of a new agreement with Poland backed by the EU. This deal marks a significant step forward in Canada's defense ties with Poland and the European Union.

Canada Pursues GlobalEye Aircraft in Talks with Saab
Canada is one step closer to bolstering its defense capabilities with talks underway with Saab to procure the advanced GlobalEye aircraft, a cutting-edge airborne early warning and control system. Saab has offered to not only supply the aircraft, but also to build, maintain, and upgrade it in Canada, fostering growth in the country's domestic defense industry.

Nations Jockey for Drone Wingman Edge
Get ready to take to the skies with the latest buzz on loyal wingman drones, as experts dissect the past, present, and future of manned-unmanned teaming and how nations are vying for an edge in this game-changing tech. From industrial base issues to global approaches, a panel of top analysts weighs in on the rise of drone wingmen.

Turkey Bolsters Naval Capabilities with 100 Kamikaze USVs
Turkey is taking its naval capabilities to the next level with a bold move to acquire 100 kamikaze unmanned surface vessels (USVs), a game-changing technology that will significantly boost its military prowess. The ambitious project has been divided among three top Turkish defence teams, ensuring a competitive edge and redundancy in production.

Raytheon, Lockheed Deliver Next-Gen Javelin Launchers to Army
Raytheon and Lockheed Martin have delivered the first next-generation Javelin launcher units to the U.S. Army, marking a major milestone in modernizing the Javelin system. This cutting-edge technology upgrade is a testament to the Javelin Joint Venture's commitment to equipping service members with the best tools to succeed.

US Army Deploys IonStrike Counter-Drone Tech on NATO's Eastern Flank
The US Army's IonStrike counter-drone technology is a game-changer, allowing soldiers to defend against threats without needing to learn complex new procedures. This innovative tech is being put to the test on NATO's eastern flank as part of Project Bullfrog.

Pentagon Pays Premium for SpaceX Network to Link Kamikaze Drones
The Pentagon is shelling out a whopping $25,000 per month to connect its kamikaze drones to SpaceX's network, a steep price hike from the original $5,000 monthly fee. This costly upgrade has raised eyebrows, with the Pentagon reportedly pushing back on the increased charges.

India Advances $38 Billion Rafale Fighter Jet Procurement
India is poised to make history with a record-breaking deal for 114 Dassault Rafale multi-role fighters, valued at a staggering $38 billion. This massive procurement, formalized with a Letter of Request, marks a significant milestone in the country's military modernization efforts.

IDF Deploys Fishing Nets Against Hezbollah FPV Drones
Hezbollah's FPV drones have become a formidable threat to IDF fighters on the ground, forcing them to improvise with unconventional defenses - like deploying fishing nets - to counter the kamikaze drones' deadly precision. This rapidly evolving threat has brought frontline troops to a standstill, rendering them unable to advance or effectively target the drone operations.

Global Drone Production Entangled in Chinese Supply Chain
The Russia-Ukraine War has sparked a staggering demand for FPV drones, with both sides burning through a combined seven million units per year - and Ukraine alone using a remarkable 9,000 of these low-cost, high-impact systems every day.

SpaceX Secures $2.29B to Bolster Space Force's LEO Network
SpaceX is turbocharging the US Space Force's connectivity with a $2.29 billion contract to build a low Earth orbit data-transport constellation, set to become the backbone of the Space Data Network by 2027. This game-changing network will revolutionize the way our space systems communicate and share critical data.

Australian Firm Offers Armored Roofs to Counter Drone Threats in Ukraine
Australian firm Andvare VI Defence Industries is tackling the growing threat of small attack drones with a game-changing armored roof solution, providing up to 22 square feet of overhead protection. This innovative shield is set to be fielded with Polaris Government and Defense's MRZR all-terrain vehicles for Ukrainian special operations forces.