Raw Intel

South Korean Hanwha Aerospace used the ADEX 2025 exhibition to unveil the K-NIFV, a next-generation infantry fighting vehicle the company says was developed to cut costs, raise domestic content and respond to new threats exposed by the war in Ukraine. Built from the firm’s Redback design, the K-NIFV is being pitched for both export and […] The post South Korea unveils next-gen K-NIFV fighting vehicle first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Bell Textron, a major American aerospace manufacturer, has confirmed its readiness to supply its AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Militarnyi reported. The development follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in Washington between representatives of Bell Textron and the Ukrainian government, outlining prospects for industrial cooperation and […] The post Bell Textron ready to supply helicopters to Ukraine first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A growing scandal has erupted in Russia surrounding Kremlin television host and chief propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, after accusations surfaced that his foundation misused millions of rubles collected under the pretext of helping Russian troops. According to pro-war blogger Pozdnyakov, Solovyov’s SVR personal foundation collected over 100 million rubles ($1.2 million) from Russian citizens, supposedly to […] The post Russian Army gets $1.2M DIY carts instead of combat buggies first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

South Korean startup Nearthlab has introduced a new autonomous interceptor drone, KAiDEN, at the ADEX 2025 defense exhibition. The company says the drone is designed to intercept and neutralize airborne threats using high-speed flight and advanced onboard vision AI. According to Nearthlab, KAiDEN reaches speeds exceeding 250 km/h and can detect, track, and strike targets […] The post South Korean startup unveils high-speed interceptor drone first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

SummaryIn this conversation, Chris Brose, President and Chief Strategy Officer of Anduril, discusses the company’s mission to revolutionize defense technology by integrating commercial innovations into military applications. He emphasizes the need for mass-producible military capabilities, the importance of adaptability in modern warfare, and the challenges posed by the current U.S. acquisition system. Brose also highlights the significance of collaborative combat systems and international partnerships, particularly through the Ghost Shark program with the Australian Navy. He expresses optimism about the future of U.S. defense, advocating for a shift towards a more agile …

South Korean defense firm LIG Nex1 has introduced its next-generation unmanned ground vehicle, the G-Sword, during the ADEX 2025 exhibition in Seoul. The tracked robotic platform is designed for multi-role battlefield operations and features a turret-mounted cannon and the indigenous Raybolt anti-tank missile system. According to company information presented at the event, the G-Sword was […] The post LIG Nex1 unveils armed G-Sword ground robot first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Lockheed Martin has introduced its newest unmanned aerial system, Vectis, at the 2025 ADEX defense exhibition in South Korea. Developed by the company’s Skunk Works advanced projects division, the Vectis platform is intended to operate as part of a Family of Systems alongside fifth-generation aircraft, including the F-35. According to the company, the new drone […] The post Lockheed Martin debuts Vectis combat drone at ADEX 2025 first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

South Korea’s Ministry of Strategy and Finance has rejected the entire proposed budget for upgrading K1 tanks with air conditioning and positive pressure systems, despite internal temperatures reaching up to 50°C (122°F) during summer field evaluations. According to a briefing obtained by Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee, during a test […] The post South Korean K1 tank crews endure extreme heat first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command issued a formal warning after an Australian military aircraft allegedly entered Chinese-controlled airspace without authorization over the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. According to a statement released by Senior Colonel Li Jianjian, spokesperson for the Southern Theater Air Force, the incident occurred on October […] The post China warns Australia after airspace violation first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Embraer Defense & Security has formalized a strategic partnership with India’s Mahindra Group to promote the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program. The agreement, signed in New Delhi, deepens cooperation between the two firms and aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative to increase domestic defense production. According […] The post Embraer targets Asia for C-390 expansion first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Germany is preparing to order an additional 15 F-35 fighter jets from U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin, according to Spiegel. The deal, reportedly valued at around €2.5 billion (approximately $2.9 billion), is expected to be presented to the Bundestag’s budget committee for approval. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius plans to expand Germany’s F-35 fleet beyond the […] The post Germany plans to buy 15 more F-35 fighter jets first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

China may be exploring its own version of the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program, according to footage that recently surfaced on the Chinese social media platform Douyin (TikTok). The video shows a weapons collector examining what appears to be a Chinese experimental 6.8×50mm armor-piercing cartridge with a tungsten carbide core. While there […] The post China explores small arms upgrade with 6.8mm round first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

An exclusive report by Babel has revealed the operations of a Ukrainian strike unit that converts commercial ultralight aircraft into long-range unmanned combat drones capable of hitting Russian targets hundreds of kilometers away. The covert unit, part of the 14th Regiment of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, has carried out 102 missions, 78 of which were […] The post Ukraine converts ultralights into unmanned bombers first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

L3Harris Technologies has secured a contract to deliver modified Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft configured for airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) missions to the Republic of Korea Air Force. The program, valued at over $2.26 billion, is part of a strategic initiative to enhance South Korea’s air surveillance and command capabilities amid rising tensions in […] The post South Korea orders AEW&C aircraft in $2.26B deal first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

China’s Eastern Theater Command Navy has conducted a series of realistic combat exercises involving coastal defense missile forces, focusing on rapid deployment, strike coordination, and multi-layered air defense against unmanned aerial threats. The drills, held in unfamiliar terrain, were designed to test and improve the unit’s battlefield adaptability under high-tempo conditions. According to Chinese military […] The post China conducts coastal strike drills in eastern theater first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Chinese Ministry of National Defense issued a sharp warning to Washington on Friday over provisions in the newly passed U.S. National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that include expanded military support for Taiwan, calling the move a provocative escalation that threatens regional stability. Speaking in Beijing, Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang criticized the Taiwan-related elements […] The post China slams U.S. over Taiwan defense bill first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

China has unveiled a concept model for what is described as the world’s largest unmanned cargo drone at the 7th China Helicopter Exposition in Tianjin. The heavy-lift drone, referred to as the Ibis Shadow 60, is based on the airframe of the Shaanxi Y-9 military transport aircraft and features a take-off weight exceeding 60 tons. […] The post China unveils 60-ton unmanned cargo aircraft concept first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Z-20T assault helicopter, developed by China’s Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC), was featured in flight demonstrations at the 7th China Helicopter Exposition in Tianjin after making its first public appearance during a military parade on September 3. The aircraft, developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), combines airlift capabilities with integrated firepower in […] The post China shows armed Z-20T helicopter in action first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

China has presented a new hybrid vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) concept aircraft, dubbed the 6T H-VTOL, during the 7th China Helicopter Exposition in Tianjin, which concluded on Sunday. The aircraft was developed with high-altitude operational demands in mind and is being positioned as a future platform for logistics and utility missions in remote or […] The post China debuts hybrid tilt-rotor at Tianjin expo first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has deployed its latest JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets to Azerbaijan to participate in the bilateral air combat exercise Indus Shield Alpha, the service announced via its official channels on Sunday. The exercise, hosted in Azerbaijan, brings together air and ground crews from both nations for an intensive aerial training […] The post Pakistan deploys JF-17 fighter jets to Azerbaijan first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article