Raw Intel

ICEYE and the Finnish Defence Forces have finalized a €158 million ($185 million) contract for the acquisition of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites. The agreement, signed on September 8 in Tampere by Brigadier General Engineering Juha-Matti Ylitalo of the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command and Seppo Aaltonen, Vice President Nordics & NATO at ICEYE, follows […] The post Finland signs $185M deal with ICEYE for SAR satellites first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Soldiers from the 6th Battalion, 56th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division Artillery conducted a live unmanned aerial system demonstration on Jan. 29, 2026, at Fort Hood, Texas, testing counter-UAS integration in front of senior leaders from III Armored Corps and the 1st Cavalry Division. The event paired air defense crews with civilian personnel […]View the full article

The U.S. Department of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Ukraine for long-term sustainment and support services related to M777 howitzers, valued at up to $104 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) formally notified Congress of the decision, the agency said in a release. According to the notification, the Government […] The post U.S. clears $104M support deal for Ukrainian M777 howitzers first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Japan’s Ministry of Defense has confirmed plans to station new electronic warfare units in Okinawa and Kumamoto, aiming to enhance deterrence in the country’s southwestern region amid growing regional tensions. According to Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, speaking at a press conference following a cabinet meeting on September 16, the new units will be deployed to […] The post Japan sets up radar-jamming units on frontline islands first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

South Korea has launched its second King Jeongjo-class Aegis-equipped destroyer, the Dasan Jeong Yak-yong (DDG-996). The warship was floated out at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ shipyard in Ulsan on September 17, according to footage provided by Yonhap TV and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. It is the second unit of the 8,200-ton King Jeongjo-class destroyers—South […] The post South Korea launches new missile-defense warship first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The United States State Department has approved a possible $800 million Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait covering sustainment and follow-on technical support for the country’s Patriot air-and-missile defense program, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said on January 14. The agency confirmed that it has delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the proposed transaction. According […]View the full article

United Aircraft Corporation has delivered new Su-35S fighter jets to the Russian Armed Forces after completing ground and flight testing, the company announced. The Su-35 is designed to establish air superiority in difficult weather conditions and at long distances from its home base. Russian industry presents the aircraft as a bridge to fifth-generation platforms, combining […] The post Russian military receives new Su-35 fighter jets first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russia’s ambassador to France has issued a direct threat to NATO, warning that any attempt by the alliance to shoot down a Russian aircraft would trigger war. The statement escalates tensions between Moscow and the West as aerial encounters grow more frequent over Europe amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. “If NATO shoots down a […] The post Russia warns of war if NATO downs Russian jet first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A Danish startup is entering the unmanned logistics market with a family of heavy-lift, high-speed autonomous cargo aircraft designed to move large payloads over medium distances. Acodyne says it is developing an unmanned electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft aimed at what it describes as the “middle-mile” logistics segment, a space between short-range drones and […]View the full article

I am sure that most navalists have had a moment or two in the last few months where they’ve wanted to shuffle down to the basement to get their ready sackcloth and ashes and roll in the doom. The news can lead you that way. Let’s check in with Paul Berger at WSJ; In the first major speech to Congress of his second term, President Trump vowed to resurrect American shipbuilding. Four months later, Trump’s ambitious plans to reverse decades of maritime-industry decline are sputtering. Are they? Maybe sputtering or trying to find their footing in the chaos. It’s the first few months of an administration dealing with a low-boil naval conflict in the Red Sea, year two of the wa…

The U.S. Air Force has launched the next phase of its Super Squadron Test by relocating the first wave of F-16 Fighting Falcons from Kunsan Air Base to Osan AB in South Korea. Starting July 28, the 36th Fighter Squadron at Osan began receiving F-16 aircraft as part of the broader initiative to evaluate whether […] The post U.S. Air Force tests super squadron model first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Pentagon’s No.1 weapons supplier Lockheed Martin and Germany’s defense giant Rheinmetall have successfully conducted the first live fire test of the Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System (GMARS), advancing a next-generation rocket launcher program designed for NATO interoperability and long-range strike capability. The test, held at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, confirmed the system’s […] The post U.S.-German team tests GMARS rocket launcher first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Friday accused the United States of seeking a violent regime change in Venezuela and across Latin America, warning President Donald Trump to reject what he described as a misguided and destabilizing strategy. In a televised address during an operational ceremony of Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Militia, Maduro said, “The United States […] The post Venezuela warns U.S. against military pressure first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Brazil’s Army leadership has expressed interest in acquiring Türkiye’s Tulpar infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) following a high-level visit to defense manufacturer Otokar, signaling growing defense ties between the two nations. According to a statement from Otokar, “We are honored to host them and thank them for their visit.” The visit took place on October 31, […]View the full article

Ukraine’s air defense forces are facing mounting challenges as Russia modifies its ballistic missiles to evade Western-made Patriot systems, a senior Ukrainian Air Force official said on Sunday. Yurii Ihnat, chief of communications for Ukraine’s Air Force Command, confirmed during a national television broadcast that intercepting Russian ballistic missiles has become more difficult. The change, […] The post Ukraine: Russian ballistic missiles now harder for Patriot to hit first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

French-German defense firm KNDS has showcased the second prototype of its next-generation main battle tank, the Leopard 2A-RC 3.0, during a demonstration at the Klietz military training area. The PT02 prototype was presented by KNDS, with footage released by the Militär- und Landtechnik Klaus Schröder YouTube channel, which described the event as part of an […] The post KNDS shows Leopard 2 tank with unmanned turret first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

South Korea’s top military officer has raised concerns that North Korea may have received Russian assistance in developing its newly unveiled Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). During a parliamentary audit session on Tuesday, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Gen. Jin Yong-sung told lawmakers there is “sufficient possibility” that Russia supported North Korea’s […] The post Russian hand suspected in North Korea’s new ICBM first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A prominent Russian lawmaker and retired general has issued a direct threat of military action against Azerbaijan, escalating tensions between Moscow and Baku amid already strained relations. In remarks delivered in a combative tone, State Duma Deputy Lt. Gen. Andrey Gurulev accused Azerbaijan of “damaging relations” with Russia by supporting Ukraine. “If Russian store shelves […] The post Azerbaijan ready to respond to Russian threats first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Americas General Atomics Aeronautical Systems won a $34.8 million deal, which procures Air Vehicle and Ground Control Station spares in support of the successful operational capability of the Marine Air Ground Task Force Unmanned Aircraft System Expeditionary Medium Altitude Long Endurance MQ-9 Reaper air vehicles. Work will be performed in Poway, California, and is expected to be completed in May 2028. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Bell Boeing won a $21.9 million deal, which provides for non-recurring efforts for the engineering, component production, supportability, and management necessary to facilitate the incorporat…

The Royal Thai Army has recovered a BTR-3E1 armored personnel carrier that became immobilized during recent operations near the Thai-Cambodian border, countering earlier claims circulated by Cambodian sources that the vehicle had been seized. According to Thai military officials, the incident occurred on December 12 during operations in the Ta Phraya district of Sa Kaeo […]View the full article