Raw Intel

Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has begun testing two foreign-made unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) as part of its effort to enhance unmanned defense capabilities under its ongoing initiative for the “Fundamental Reinforcement of Japan’s Defense Capabilities.” According to an official post published by the JGSDF on October 3, 2025, the service is currently evaluating the […] The post Japanese military evaluates foreign robotic vehicles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Elbit America, the U.S. subsidiary of Israel’s Elbit Systems, is showcasing its SIGMA 155mm mobile artillery system concept at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) exposition, aiming to position the platform as a future solution for U.S. Army long-range precision fires. The SIGMA system, currently entering service with the Israel Defense Forces under […] The post Elbit America offers next-gen howitzer to U.S. Army first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Americas Exercise UNITAS LXV, the 65th iteration of the world’s longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise, took place along the Pacific coast of South America from September 2nd to 12th. Hosted by Chile, the exercise challenged participating forces with unique terrain, pushing them to adapt and refine their skills in a new environment. The United States showcased its commitment to regional stability and security through a strong presence of Marine Corps and Navy assets, including F/A-18C Hornets from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 (VMFA-112), a KC-130J Hercules from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 (VMGR-234), and a US Navy P-8 Poseidon marit…

East Timor. Over four centuries of neglectful Portuguese rule, a spat of 1970s violence, a few decades of Indonesian rule, and then independence shortly after the turn of the century. Is that all you really need to know about this small, poor, and generally forgotten part of an insignificant island? Is it insignificant? The People’s Republic of China (PRC) doesn’t think so. Follow the money. As always, let’s head to the chart room. There she is in the center. That red circle is the 360 nautical mile circle that meets where the USMC base is at Darwin, Australia. East Timor has a population of 1.3 million. Roughly the population of San Diego, CA or Estonia. In size, her p…

Americas Canada’s promised $400 million National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) for Ukraine remains grounded, with delivery shrouded in uncertainty. While the Liberal government touted the acquisition in January 2023, National Defence now admits plans are still being worked out with the United States, including crucial details like delivery timelines. Crew Training International won a […]View the full article

The Washington Army National Guard’s 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team will be restructured into a Mobile Brigade as part of the U.S. Army’s broader transformation effort, officials confirmed. The shift reflects a major doctrinal update aimed at increasing speed, agility, and operational flexibility across the force. In a statement, Brig. Gen. Paul Sellars, commanding general […] The post Light vehicles to replace Strykers in Washington National Guard first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Pakistan Army carried out a series of large-scale and targeted strikes on Afghan Taliban positions following intense border clashes that erupted late Saturday, Pakistani security officials said. The violence comes days after Pakistan reportedly conducted an airstrike in Kabul, escalating tensions between the two neighbors. According to Pakistani officials, the latest exchange of fire […] The post Pakistani jets hit Taliban targets after border clashes first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Sweden has signed a contract to purchase the Polish-made Piorun man-portable air defense system (MANPADS), expanding its inventory of short-range air defense capabilities. The deal was announced by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) in a statement on September 9. According to FMV, the agreement was finalized in July and is valued at approximately 3 […] The post Sweden buys Polish-made Piorun air defense systems first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Americas Roshel has signed an agreement with Singapore’s ST Engineering to produce the ExtremV amphibious all-terrain vehicle in Canada. The ExtremV is a key candidate for Canada’s Domestic Arctic Mobility Enhancement program, which seeks a replacement for the aging BV206 fleet for military and emergency response teams. Roshel will lead the vehicle’s domestic production and engage Canadian-owned businesses to procure key components. MD Helicopters is pitching its five-bladed MD 530F as the US Army’s next training platform to prepare the next generation of military pilots. The aircraft, designed to replicate the operational characteristics of rotorcraft like the UH-60M Bla…

Americas Mid-Atlantic Technical and Executive Consulting LLC won a $10.4 million firm-fixed modification to a previously awarded contract. This modification adds scope through additional contract line-item numbers for technical evaluation, proposal evaluation, cost analysis, price analysis, and negotiation support services in support of the air vehicle production and sustainment efforts for the F-35 Joint Strike […]View the full article

A trailer linked to the U.S. Army’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system caught fire during transport on 15 August, sending seven soldiers to the hospital for evaluation. According to Fort Bliss, the incident occurred at about 1:20 p.m. on U.S. Highway 54 near mile marker 10. A military convoy belonging to the […] The post THAAD missile system catches fire in Texas first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Americas General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has finalized the qualification trials of its new 200-horsepower heavy fuel engine (HFE 2.0) for the Gray Eagle 25M unmanned aerial system in El Mirage, California. HFE 2.0 provides a 40 percent increase in the drone’s service life, 50 percent more power to mission payloads, and longer maintenance-free, low-sustainment capability — all required to meet the user requirements in multi-domain operations. NATO member Romania inked a deal with Washington to buy 32 F-35 jets, an unprecedented expenditure for the country neighboring Ukraine. Romania is the latest to acquire the combat jets, more than two and a half yea…

Americas Dynetics has received a $670.5-million contract to build the common hypersonic glide body (C-HGB) and thermal protection system for the US Army. A total of $65.8 million has already been allocated from the overall amount to the Leidos subsidiary for fiscal 2024 research, development, testing, and evaluation. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of October 2029. Teledyne FLIR has been selected by Red Cat Holdings to provide advanced thermal imaging cameras for the US Army’s new short-range reconnaissance (SRR) drone. Under the agreement, Teledyne will integrate its Hadron 640R+ longwave infrared camera module into the Bl…

Singapore seems to have made a solid decision here. They took the framework of the Danish Iver Huitfeldt and Absalon class frigates and customized the rest to meet their needs. That enabled them to do this: Now that the vessel is in the water, it will move to the Gul Yard for further outfitting, integration, and sea trials. It will then be formally commissioned. The six MRCVs are planned to be delivered progressively from 2028 onward. … The vessel was also built remarkably quickly, with just 12 months between keel laying and launch. This was aided by 3D modeling and digital twinning in the design phase. This meant that the MRCV could be ‘tested’ in a virtual environment a…

A U.S. Air Force reconnaissance aircraft conducted a surveillance mission near Russia’s northern region on August 28, according to a report from the defense outlet Militarnyi. The Boeing RC-135V Rivet Joint was detected on the online flight tracking platform Flightradar24 as it operated close to the Murmansk area. The aircraft, equipped with advanced sensors and […] The post U.S. Air Force spy plane tracked off Russia’s northern coast first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Going from east to west, with a few precious exceptions at the far eastern end at St. Petersburg and occupied Königsberg, the Baltic Sea is not just a NATO lake; NATO controls the gate. Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Denmark, and Norway—all NATO members, and yet as we are in the 4th year of the Russo-Ukrainian War of 2022 and all the sanctions against Russia, like a drug-addicted cop won’t bust his dealer, the path to the open seas and cash to feed its war remains wide open. However slowly, Western Europe is slowly weaning itself off of its addictions to and fear of Russia. Back in February, you can see the opening play of the latest developments. Denm…

Russian forces released new footage showing an operation to destroy a disabled Ukrainian M2A2 Bradley ODS-SA infantry fighting vehicle — a task that required seven explosive-laden FPV drones, highlighting the vehicle’s durability and battlefield survivability. According to the Voennyi Osvedomitel Telegram channel, the Bradley lost mobility following the initial attack but remained intact after its […] The post Russia uses seven FPV drones to destroy one Bradley first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Americas Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday backed a suggestion by US counterpart Donald Trump for Russia, the United States, and China to all cut their defense budgets in half. “I think it’s a good idea. The US would cut by 50 percent and we would cut by 50 percent and then China would join if it wanted,” Putin said in a televised interview. Russia has massively ramped up military spending since launching its offensive in Ukraine in 2022, boosting economic growth but also inflation. GE Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney have passed the detailed design review of their offerings for the US Air Force’s Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program. The detailed …

Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) has announced the successful completion of offshore firing trials using an electromagnetic railgun. The announcement was made via ATLA’s official X account on September 10. According to the statement, the tests were conducted from June through early July aboard the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s test vessel Asuka. ATLA confirmed […] The post Japan successfully tests ship-based railgun first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Virginia Block I-II (click for SuperSize) “GDEB Receives $148M as Virginia Class Lead Yard” described changes to the Virginia Class submarine’s design that are expected to reach 20% of the $200 million savings goal by the time orders for the versatile sea attack/ land attack/ special forces submarines rise to 2 per year, in 2012. […]View the full article