Raw Intel

Rumors are floating about that, in the words of Brent Sadler, The U.S. Navy is reportedly on the cusp of a new force design plan. OK, then what? Who is ready to hear and act on it? Has the intellectual battlefield been properly prepared? We’ve seen over the last few decades, both political parties and the parade of SECDEFs, SECNAVs, CNOs, Commandants of the Marine Corps issue this vision, that strategy, this design, but they all seem to exist in their own little world, impacting only on the edges (big exception is the USMC’s Force Design 2030 that is still creating friction, for good reason) —but not quite gripping and pulling the multiple lines of control that impact ou…

A model believed to represent Russia’s newest “Oreshnik” ballistic missile system has appeared on the desk of Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. The image, which surfaced during a meeting in Minsk, shows a scale model of a large wheeled launcher — reportedly mounted on an MZKT-79291 chassis with a 12×12 wheel configuration — widely believed to […] The post Leaked image shows model of Russia’s new RS-26 ballistic missile first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

U.S. Army engineers with the 809th Multi-Role Bridge Company (MRBC), 15th Engineer Battalion, 7th Engineer Brigade, conducted a major river-crossing exercise at the 7th Army Training Command’s Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany, testing the unit’s ability to deploy quickly and support mobility operations across Europe’s challenging terrain. The 809th MRBC deployed to a designated training […] The post U.S. troops practice rapid bridge deployment in Europe first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

As strategic competition intensifies in the High North, the United States and its allies are stepping up efforts to strengthen defense cooperation and deterrence in one of the world’s most strategically vital regions. From September 9–12, more than 40 senior military leaders, policymakers, and experts from across the Arctic convened virtually for the 2025 High […] The post U.S. and allies push new defense initiatives in High North first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $705 million foreign military sale to Australia for M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). According to a notification delivered by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) to Congress, the Australian government has requested 48 M142 HIMARS launchers, along with resupply vehicles, trailers, training rockets, communication systems, […] The post Australia to buy 48 HIMARS launchers in $705 million deal first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) has signed a multi-year enterprise agreement with ST Engineering Antycip to expand its use of advanced simulation technology. The agreement builds on a long-standing collaboration between the RAF and Antycip, Europe’s leading provider of simulation and virtual training solutions. It brings the company’s simulation expertise and the MAK ONE […] The post UK Royal Air Force to build unified synthetic training network with Antycip first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. military has selected Zone 5 Technologies as one of two companies to participate in its Counter NEXT program, an initiative launched by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to rapidly field new systems capable of shooting down or disabling hostile drones — a growing threat in conflicts from Eastern Europe to the Red Sea. […] The post Zone 5 interceptor selected by Pentagon for counter-drone program 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…

Global Military Products will participate in the U.S. Army’s upcoming Transformation in Contact (TiC) 2.0 event with its Scorpion Light 81mm mobile mortar system, part of an ongoing effort to modernize indirect fire capabilities under the Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP). The trials, conducted under a contract with the Product Manager for Artillery Mortars and Precision […] The post U.S. Army to test new Scorpion light mortar system first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Saab Inc. has been awarded a $46 million contract to deliver its Giraffe 1X radar systems to the U.S. Army. According to a Pentagon announcement, the contract was awarded to Saab Inc., based in East Syracuse, New York, for the procurement and delivery of Giraffe 1X radars. Bids were solicited online, with one received. Work […] The post U.S. Army buys lightweight surveillance radars from Saab first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Russian military is reintroducing horseback units to the battlefield, turning to centuries-old tactics. According to Russian media reports, newly formed cavalry units riding actual horses were observed during training exercises with assault troops from the 9th Motor Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces. The initiative was launched by the commander of the “Shtorm” […] The post Russia trains cavalry units for battlefield operations first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russian forces are converting Chinese-made all-terrain vehicles into remotely operated battlefield systems, including cable-laying platforms and logistics carriers, as they seek to reduce troop exposure and adapt commercial technology for use in the war against Ukraine. Troops from the 36th Guards Combined Arms Army of the “Vostok” grouping are now fielding a remote-controlled fiber-optic cable-laying […] The post Russia converts Chinese “golf carts” into battlefield robots first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Pentagon announced that Maryland-based defense contractor Mistral Inc. has been awarded a $982 million contract to supply lethal unmanned systems to the U.S. Army. According to the Department of War, Mistral Inc., headquartered in Bethesda, was awarded the hybrid cost-no-fee and firm-fixed-price contract to “provide Lethal Unmanned Systems.” Work locations and funding will be […] The post U.S. Army buys kamikaze drones in nearly $1 billion contract first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Pentagon announced Monday that Raytheon has been awarded a $5.04 billion contract to supply the U.S. Army with its Coyote missile system, a combat-proven counter-drone weapon designed to intercept and destroy unmanned aerial threats, including drone swarms. According to the Department of War, Raytheon Co. of Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for […] The post Pentagon awards $5B deal to Raytheon for Coyote drone interceptors first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

German defense company Rheinmetall has been commissioned to supply a large volume of artillery ammunition to an Eastern European customer under a U.S. government program, underscoring the growing transatlantic demand for heavy munitions amid the ongoing conflict-driven rearmament push in Europe. As a subcontractor to Global Military Products (GMP), a U.S.-based defense supplier awarded a […] The post U.S. taps Rheinmetall to supply artillery shells for Eastern Europe first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

European missile manufacturer MBDA has signed a production contract with Italy’s National Directorate of Naval Armaments for the TESEO MK2/E, a new-generation anti-ship missile that will become a core weapon system aboard the Italian Navy’s future surface fleet. The agreement covers the supply of TESEO MK2/E missiles, which will be deployed on new naval platforms […] The post MBDA to deliver new anti-ship missiles for Italy first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Canadian armored vehicle giant Roshel has released new video footage offering a rare look inside its production facilities, underscoring its growing role as a key supplier of advanced armored platforms to government agencies, law enforcement, and allied militaries around the world. The company, headquartered in Ontario, operates more than 400,000 square feet of manufacturing space […] The post Roshel offers rare glimpse inside its production facilities first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have introduced a new logistics unit designed to deliver supplies, transport equipment, and even detonate enemy infrastructure — all without putting soldiers in harm’s way. The unit, named “Taltan,” integrates drones, robotic vehicles, and autonomous platforms into its operations to support troops in challenging environments. Created just four months ago, […] The post Israel deploys drone unit to supply frontline forces first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Israel’s Elbit Systems Ltd. announced it has been awarded a contract worth approximately $120 million to supply its Hermes 900 unmanned aerial system (UAS) to an international customer for long-range maritime surveillance operations. The company described the deal as part of growing global demand for advanced unmanned capabilities as nations seek to strengthen their intelligence, […] The post Elbit sells Hermes 900 drone to mystery customer first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukrainian troops have carried out an unconventional special operation on the Kharkiv front — evacuating a cat from near the line of contact using a ground robotic vehicle. The unusual mission, conducted by the “Khartia” Brigade, highlights the growing use of unmanned ground systems (UGVs) in Ukraine not only for combat tasks but also for […] The post Ukrainian troops use ground robot to rescue cat from frontline first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article