Raw Intel

A global outage of the Starlink satellite internet system has disrupted frontline operations in Ukraine, with Ukrainian forces along the entire line of contact reporting a sudden loss of connectivity. The interruption, which has also affected tens of thousands of users worldwide, has raised fresh concerns over the risks of depending on a single commercial […] The post Starlink outage disrupts frontline ops in Ukraine first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russian analysts and pro-military commentators are openly criticizing the country’s latest Zapad 2025 military exercises, accusing the country’s Ministry of Defense of staging unrealistic maneuvers that ignore hard-learned lessons from the war in Ukraine. Influential Telegram channel Voenny Osvedomitel, known for its ties to military insiders and OSINT groups, condemned the exercises as out of […] The post Russian large-scale exercises draw skepticism from analysts first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Danish Armed Forces are moving forward with a large-scale initiative to build a national ground-based air defense (GBAD) network, the Ministry of Defence announced this week. The decision includes the procurement of eight integrated systems designed to protect civilians, military installations, and critical infrastructure from aerial threats. The new effort follows the March 2025 […] The post Denmark buys new air defense systems first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukrainian forces have successfully intercepted and destroyed a Russian Orion unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near the Russian border using a drone-based interceptor system, according to a report from Militarnyi. The Russian combat-reconnaissance drone was brought down by the “Topot” team from the 414th Separate Brigade of Unmanned Systems. In a statement, Militarnyi noted that this […] The post Ukrainian drone takes down Russian Orion first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A T-90MS main battle tank that once stood on display at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) in the United Arab Emirates has now been deployed to the battlefield in Ukraine, according to a statement from the manufacturer. The tank, originally painted in desert camouflage for its appearance at IDEX 2025, was returned to Russia, repainted […] The post Russia sends exhibition T-90MS tank to frontline first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russia has conducted a simulated missile strike on Polish territory as part of its large-scale joint military exercise with Belarus, known as Zapad 2025. The drill scenario involved the use of Iskander ballistic missile systems deployed from the Kaliningrad region. According to the exercise script, Russian missile units moved to designated launch positions with the […] The post Russia simulates missile strike on Poland first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers from the 307th Bomb Wing, based at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, arrived in the United Kingdom on September 11, 2025, to take part in Cobra Warrior 2025, a multi-nation air combat exercise hosted by the Royal Air Force. The large-scale exercise, designated CW 25-2, is led by […] The post U.S. sends heavy bombers for NATO drill first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Alaskan Command and the Canadian Armed Forces completed a multi-day joint maritime operation in the Bering Sea earlier this month, showcasing the growing importance of bi-national coordination and air-sea integration in the defense of the Arctic region. From September 3 to 5, 2025, U.S. and Canadian forces carried out combined joint maritime operations under the […] The post U.S. and Canadian forces conduct Arctic strike exercise first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

NATO allies and European defense leaders are moving to reduce reliance on vulnerable global supply chains by prioritizing stockpiles, acquisition, and control of critical raw materials (CRMs) vital to modern military systems. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) has reported that these efforts reflect a growing recognition of how supply chain weaknesses can affect […] The post NATO focuses on rare earths for defense first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Pentagon’s research and technology arm is preparing to launch a new program that aims to fundamentally alter the role of human red blood cells through synthetic biology. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced the forthcoming Smart-Red Blood Cells (Smart-RBC) initiative in a special notice released by its Biological Technologies Office on September […] The post Pentagon develops ‘smart’ blood for battlefield use first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Army is calling on defense contractors to propose solutions for the development of an extended-range 155mm projectile as part of its Next Generation Rocket Assisted Projectile (NGRAP) program. The request, issued through a sources sought notice by the Army Contracting Command-New Jersey (ACC-NJ), supports efforts led by the Project Manager for Combat Ammunition […] The post U.S. Army looks to expand artillery range first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is seeking industry feedback on a future mobile ground-based radar system intended to strengthen U.S. homeland defense against advanced missile threats. The request, issued as a formal Request for Information (RFI), calls for input on capabilities to support the development of a new radar system under the Mobile Land-Based […] The post Pentagon pursues new radar to track glide and cruise missiles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Air Force has announced the arrival of a second B-21 Raider flight test aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base. According to a Department of the Air Force release on September 11, the new test asset will allow engineers and flight crews to move beyond initial flight performance checks and into more advanced phases […] The post U.S. Air Force adds second B-21 to accelerate testing first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The ADS Group, the United Kingdom’s trade association for aerospace, defense, security, and space, has formally opened its membership to Ukrainian defense companies for the first time. Calibre Defence reports that the announcement was made during DSEI 2025 in London and coincided with a Taskforce KINDRED-led briefing marking the “UK/Ukraine 100-Year Partnership.” Within 48 hours […] The post UK opens ADS Group to Ukrainian defense industry first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russia’s state defense conglomerate Rostec has delivered a new batch of BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles to the Russian Ministry of Defense, equipped with upgraded modular armor and electronic warfare systems. The announcement was made by the corporation’s industrial director for its weapons cluster, Bekhan Ozdoev, who also confirmed the handover of overhauled BMD-2 airborne vehicles […] The post Russian army receives upgraded fighting vehicles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine’s defense industry has significantly expanded its armored vehicle output, with one manufacturer confirming record deliveries to frontline units. On September 10, Vladislav Belbas, director of the company Ukrainian Armor, announced that his firm has supplied more than 1,000 Novator armored vehicles to Ukraine’s Defense Forces. […] The post Ukraine ramps up production of armored vehicles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Poland has taken delivery of another shipment of American-made Abrams tanks. According to Defence24, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed the arrival of 52 armored vehicles purchased from the United States. The shipment includes 38 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams main battle tanks and 14 M88A2 HERCULES armored recovery vehicles. The latest […] The post Poland receives new batch of Abrams tanks first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Azerbaijan is moving to expand its long-range strike capabilities with interest in acquiring Slovakia’s AM-120 automated mortar system and the 155 mm EVA self-propelled artillery system, according to Baku-based policy analyst Fuad Shahbazov. “In 2024, Azerbaijan and Slovakia agreed to establish joint manufacturing facilities with investments,” Shahbazov said, noting that cooperation has advanced beyond purchases […] The post Azerbaijan looks to buy Slovak rapid-fire mortar first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Amid heightened tensions in Eastern Europe and the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus on September 12 launched their strategic exercise Zapad-2025. The drills, billed as a test of the Union State’s ability to “repel possible aggression,” are taking place across training grounds in both countries and extending into the Baltic and Barents Seas. […] The post Russia, Belarus begin large-scale drills near NATO first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

I just finished with Xenophon's Anabasis on audio. Wow ... just wow. Almost 2,400 years old and its lessons on leadership are timeless. There is really nothing new under the sun. This book is a perfect example of the critical importance of a classical education. We wouldn't have to learn the hard way if we realized the truth that has been there from the dawn of history ... not to mention the lessons of 20 years ago ... move the decimal place two spots over. Here is just one bit. Rely upon this then, all you who are here assembled, now is your great opportunity. The soldiers outside have their eyes fixed upon you; if they think that you are faint-hearted, they will turn …