Raw Intel

France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has announced the latest test of the Akeron Long-Range missile, developed by MBDA as part of the Future Tactical Air-to-Ground Missile (MAST-F) program. The test was conducted at the DGA’s land systems technical center using a 280-meter rail platform designed to simulate real-world impact conditions. According to a public […] The post France tests next-gen missile for combat helicopters first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A Ukrainian special operation has targeted Russian troops stationed in the city of Stavropol, deep inside the Russian Federation, resulting in the elimination of at least three servicemen from the Russian Airborne Forces. The strike took place near Military Unit No. 54801, located at 533 Serova Street in central Stavropol, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence […] The post Ukraine blows up Russian troops at home base first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukrainian defense news outlet Militarnyi has released a comprehensive analysis of classified procurement documents outlining the true cost and production volumes of Russia’s long-range missile arsenal. According to the report, the documents shed new light on the scale and financial scope of missile deliveries to the Russian Armed Forces between 2024 and 2027, breaking through […] The post Analysts break down real cost of Russian missiles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

There is nothing personal here in the use of Admiral Cooper’s picture or in Kimo Fanell’s article over at American Greatness, Restoring America’s Warfighting Ethos: Too Many Ribbons… Clean Up America’s Military Awards Program. It is just an opportunity to point out again a problem that a lot of us continue to hope for action on: the obscene bloat of awards, badges, and pins. The Navy isn’t even the worst offender. The admiral’s appearance, while lawful and within standards, does raise the issue of the Pentagon’s awards system, where America’s senior military officers are able to obtain, let alone wear, that many rows of ribbons, awards, decorations, and badges—the latter…

Sweden is preparing to export up to 150 of its domestically built Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine under a new long-term defense cooperation framework, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced Wednesday. Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Linköping, Kristersson said that Sweden is committed to “exploring all the possibilities in providing Ukraine […] The post Ukraine begins talks for 100+ Gripen fighter jets first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

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…

Russia carried out a series of nuclear-capable missile launches on Wednesday as part of a large-scale strategic forces exercise overseen by Vladimir Putin in his role as commander in chief, according to a statement from the Kremlin. The training involved the launch of multiple intercontinental and cruise missiles designed to test the readiness of Russia’s […] The post Russia simulates “response” in nuclear drill first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russia has begun fielding a previously unseen type of drone over Ukraine, featuring an unusual ring-wing design likely aimed at improving aerial endurance and strike capabilities, according to a Ukrainian military electronic warfare specialist. Serhiy Beskrestnov, also known by his callsign “Serhiy Flesh,” said in a public statement that Russian forces have started using drones […] The post Mysterious Russian drone spotted in combat zone first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

France’s defense procurement agency, the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA), has spotlighted its multi-domain weapons testing site known as CALAMAR, located at Cazaux. The facility supports the evaluation of France’s most advanced combat systems, including the Rafale fighter, Mirage 2000, Tiger helicopter, guided munitions, anti-bunker bombs, and targeting technologies. In a statement released by the […] The post France showcases CALAMAR range for next-gen weapons testing first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Croatian robotics firm DOK-ING and Slovenian turret specialist Valhalla have unveiled a new integrated unmanned ground combat system, pairing the MV-8 Komodo robotic platform with the Mangart 25 AD remote-controlled turret. The joint system made its world debut this week during the SIDEC defense exhibition in Slovenia, backed by support from the Slovenian Armed Forces […] The post New robotic combat vehicle debuts at SIDEC show first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Republic of Korea Navy has launched its first Changbogo-III Batch-II class submarine, the Jang Yeong-sil (SS-087), during a formal ceremony held Wednesday at Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje. The vessel is the lead boat in the second batch of South Korea’s indigenously developed diesel-electric submarines and is expected to enhance the country’s underwater deterrence […] The post South Korea launches new indigenous attack submarine first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Shield AI, a defense technology company now valued at $5.3 billion, has announced the launch of the X-Bat, its first vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) autonomous fighter jet designed for combat. The company will unveil the new aircraft on Wednesday, positioning it as a central piece in the future of distributed airpower. According to Shield […] The post Shield AI develops world’s first autonomous VTOL fighter jet first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has unveiled an upgraded generation of its unmanned maritime strike platforms known as “Sea Baby,” which have already played a role in high-profile operations in the Black Sea. The drones were shown publicly for the first time in footage released by the SBU, which emphasized their combat-tested effectiveness and […] The post Ukraine unveils new Sea Baby naval drones first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukrainian forces have carried out a targeted strike on Russian aircraft stationed at an airfield in occupied Zaporizhzhia, eliminating two light planes recently adapted to intercept Ukrainian long-range drones. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) released a video of the operation on October 21, showing the attack taking place roughly 85 kilometers behind the front […] The post Ukrainian forces destroy Russian drone-interceptor aircraft first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

It has been six weeks since we started striking drug boats, and as we hit more, so are the objections rising to the surface. That is good. A free people should discuss and argue the point. Let’s pick up from the post linked to above. Before we start, I think we need to bring an item to the center of the conversation. It is the background to all that follows and a touchstone to all arguments. This, of course, does not include the deaths caused in the drug trade, the murder, torture, kidnapping, random violence and associated companion criminal enterprises both inside and outside the USA by those who feed the demand for drugs. So far this century, over 1 million Americans …

India’s defense exports received a boost this month as BrahMos Aerospace signed cruise missile contracts worth ₹4,000 crore (approximately $455 million) with two foreign countries, according to Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The announcement coincided with the ceremonial dispatch of the first batch of BrahMos missiles from the new BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility in […] The post India signs $455M BrahMos missile export deals first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Lockheed Martin has secured a $233 million contract to deliver its IRST21 Block II infrared search and track systems, along with initial spares, to the U.S. Navy and Air National Guard. The award supports deployment across multiple fighter platforms and follows the Navy’s recent declaration of Initial Operational Capability for the sensor. The IRST21 Block […] The post Lockheed wins $233M deal for advanced IRST sensors first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russian military-linked Telegram channels have released the first images of what they claim is a new jet-powered glide bomb, marking a rare visual confirmation of a weapon type previously reported in battlefield use but never seen publicly. The release comes amid growing concerns in Ukraine over stand-off munitions targeting critical infrastructure and rear-area positions. For […] The post Russia shows new jet-powered glide bomb first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The French Army’s 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment (35e Régiment d’Artillerie Parachutiste) carried out its first live-fire demonstration with the new PROTEUS counter-drone system at the Canjuers training area on October 18. According to the regiment, it is the first French Army unit to receive PROTEUS systems configured to the latest Standard 1 version. The 4th […] The post French paratroopers test new PROTEUS anti-drone system first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Hanwha Aerospace this week presented a new mobile rocket artillery concept, the High-Performance Launch Rocket System, or HPRS, at ADEX 2025. Military expert Mason Yonhak reported that the HPRS was shown for the first time, and that the system represents a lighter, more transportable adaptation of the Chunmoo family intended for coastal defense and expeditionary […] The post Hanwha unveils new HPRS rocket system at ADEX 2025 first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article