Raw Intel

Brazil’s defense minister said Friday the country is increasingly concerned that its northern border could become entangled in the growing confrontation between the United States and Venezuela, following recent U.S. military deployments in the Caribbean and mounting rhetoric from Washington. Defense Minister José Múcio told reporters after a high-level military luncheon with President Luiz Inácio […] The post Brazil braces as U.S.-Venezuela tensions rise first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced on August 4 that it has successfully completed a series of advanced live-fire tests of the David’s Sling air and missile defense system, enhancing its operational capabilities amid the ongoing Swords of Iron war. According to a press release from the Ministry of Defense, the recent tests were part […] The post Israel tests upgraded David’s Sling missile defense system first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

U.S. soldiers from the 1-16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division carried out live-fire exercises in Bulgaria from September 29 to October 5, 2025, conducting a week of intensive training with Abrams tanks aimed at enhancing precision, maneuvering, and team effectiveness on the battlefield. The training focused on engaging tactical targets […] The post U.S. Abrams crews sharpen skills in Bulgaria live-fire drills first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger confirmed plans to deliver mobile drone defense systems to Ukraine before the end of 2025. In an exclusive interview with Germany’s ZDF-Magazin WISO, Papperger said the deal—valued in the “three-digit million” euro range—will be signed on Wednesday at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) show in London. The systems in […] The post Rheinmetall to supply Skyrangers to Ukraine first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

One of our guests on Episode 3 of Midrats was Bryan McGrath, CDR, USN (Ret.). Over the years he’s returned often, and has even graced us with the pleasure of a few guest posts here. As he’s let people know for years, he was going to retire for good at 60. True to his word, he hung it up a few weeks ago. Earlier this year before he got too focused on his figs and vines, I asked Bryan to come on for a broad-ranging conversation. We go live at 5pm Eastern this Sunday for a full hour with an old friend. You can join us at this link. If you are reading this after the show, check the Substack later on Sunday night and I’ll upload the podcast. A retired Naval Officer, Bryan spen…

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

As some of you are aware, I am forcing myself to finish General Kenneth McKenzie, USMC (Ret.)’s book on his tour as the Commander at CENTCOM, The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century. My opinion of his performance at CENTCOM is well known to readers. However, Tom Ricks subtly challenged me to read the book. I’ve compromised and checked it out as an audiobook. (spoiler: my opinion of his performance gets worse with each minute of the book). Anyway, in order to get through this before it ruins my early fall, I’ve sped the audio up to 1.25X speed to get through the remaining 2+ hours I have left. I’m at the point right before the Abbey Gate attack, and it …

Raytheon announced today that it has successfully tested a non-kinetic variant of its Coyote counter-drone system, known as Coyote Block 3NK. The company said Coyote Block 3NK is a counter-unmanned air system capable of loitering and defeating drone swarms while using a non-kinetic payload intended to minimize the potential for collateral damage. According to Raytheon, […]View the full article

North Macedonia has expanded its fleet of U.S.-built armored vehicles with the delivery of 29 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs), formally presented on August 15 at the “Jane Sandanski” Barracks in Shtip. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, Minister of Defence Vlado Misajlovski, Chief of the General Staff Major General Sashko Lafchiski, […] The post North Macedonia receives 29 new JLTVs from U.S. first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

When people think of the U-boat war in the Atlantic, they think of the North Atlantic: cold, windy, grey, foreboding. Three of the best movies on the topic, The Cruel Sea, Das Boot, and Greyhound, only reinforce this view. There was a lot more to the war than that. Far from sideshows, other theaters were critical points in the Axis’s attempt to choke supplies to Europe. Gaylord T. M. Kelshall’s superb book, The U-Boat War in the Caribbean, does the best job in pointing out that theater from the mouth of the Mississippi River to where our focus is today. There was also the Southern Atlantic and African theaters. How much of the war was fought there? Here’s a map where U-b…

South Korea is moving closer to deploying a next-generation unmanned aerial system designed to fly alongside its KF-21 Boramae fighter jet, aiming to expand the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (ROKAF) air combat capabilities through human-machine teaming. A recent demonstration video released by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) showcased a conceptual air combat mission involving the […] The post South Korea develops AI-controlled drone to fly with KF-21 fighter 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

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has passed a major milestone in its 33-year history, surpassing nine million cumulative flight hours across its unmanned aircraft fleet. The achievement coincides with ongoing flight operations of the company’s newest combat drone, the YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft, which is being tested for the U.S. Air Force. GA-ASI has […] The post GA-ASI surpasses 9 million flight hours across drone fleet first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russian assault units fighting in Ukraine are increasingly resorting to improvised methods to survive on the battlefield, modifying civilian vehicles with makeshift armor to protect against Ukrainian FPV drone strikes. Images and battlefield footage show small cars crudely reinforced with welded steel rods, wire mesh, and scrap metal — a style of improvised protection that […] The post Russia turns civilian cars into “Mad Max” war machines first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

In less than two years since launching its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, the U.S. Department of the Air Force has flown a prototype platform, underscoring a shift in how the service develops and fields new weapon systems. The unmanned aircraft, designated YFQ-42A, was developed with General Atomics and conducted its first flight at a California […] The post U.S. Air Force prototype uncrewed fighter jet takes flight 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 United States Air Force has released the first official image showing Anduril’s YFQ-44 Fury collaborative combat aircraft carrying an inert AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), confirming the program has entered the next phase of developmental testing focused on weapons integration and captive carry evaluations. The image accompanied a recent Air Force press […]View the full article

GE Aerospace has completed the Assembly Readiness Review for its XA102 adaptive cycle engine, clearing a critical design and manufacturing milestone in the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion program and positioning the company to compete for the next program phase later this year. The ARR validates that the XA102 engine design, manufacturing processes, […]View the full article

The Australian Army’s first two AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters were delivered to the 16th Aviation Brigade. The aircraft arrived at RAAF Base Townsville on Sunday, September 28, 2025. The delivery is part of Project Land 4503, a program under which Australia is acquiring 29 AH-64E Apaches through a Foreign Military Sales agreement with the United […] The post First AH-64E Apaches arrive in Australia 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