Raw Intel

Russia’s National Guard (Rosgvardiya) has been observed operating new armored vehicles manufactured by the UAE-based Streit Group, confirming deliveries of foreign-built platforms to Moscow despite ongoing sanctions and export restrictions. During recent training exercises, Rosgvardiya units fielded multiple Spartan SUT armored vehicles, some of which were fitted with additional protection systems designed to counter drone […] The post Russia receives UAE-made armored vehicles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

In what has become and will remain a yearly tradition. As I saw it, that afternoon in the C5F AOR, morning in America.. Share Leave a comment This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. View the full article

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the deployment of three Rafale fighter jets to Poland in response to recent Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace. The move is part of a broader effort to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank and demonstrate unity among European allies. “I have decided to deploy three Rafale fighters to help protect Polish […] The post France sends Rafale fighters to Poland first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russia’s military has unveiled its updated Courier robotic combat platform. According to Russian state media, an uncrewed ground vehicle, or UGV, is being tested at a rear-area training ground where operators are practicing target engagement with several mounted weapons, including an automatic grenade launcher, a heavy “Kord” machine gun, and a Kalashnikov tank machine gun. […] The post Robot gunner joins Russian assault units first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

At the DSEI 2025 defense exhibition in London, Moog and General Dynamics Land Systems UK (GDLSUK) unveiled a new short-range air defense (SHORAD) configuration of the British Army’s Foxhound 4×4 patrol vehicle. The vehicle now features Moog’s Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP), a modular system already in U.S. Army service for counter-UAS and SHORAD missions. The […] The post British Foxhound transforms into mobile air defense platform first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Czech Republic will deploy a special operations helicopter unit to Poland to help counter the growing threat of Russian drone incursions near NATO’s eastern flank. The decision follows a direct request from Poland after a phone call between Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová and her Polish counterpart, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. According to a statement released […] The post Czech Forces to aid Poland in drone defense operations first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Pratt & Whitney, a business unit of RTX, has been awarded an $18 million engine sustainment contract from the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), the company announced. The agreement covers continued maintenance and support for the TF33 engines powering NATO’s fleet of E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft. The three-year contract […] The post Pratt & Whitney to support NATO’s AWACS fleet first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

On September 3, 2025, during a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the end of World War II, China’s state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) reported the successful deployment of its laser-based counter-drone systems in central Beijing. The company said in a statement […] The post China unleashes laser defenses over capital first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Beretta Defence Technologies UK (BDT UK) has launched its Land Industrial Strategy for Project GRAYBURN, presenting a proposal to replace the British Armed Forces’ aging SA80 rifle. The announcement was made on Wednesday at the DSEI 2025 exhibition in London. According to the strategy, BDT UK aims to create a long-term strategic partnership with the […] The post Beretta proposes UK-based rifle production to replace SA80 first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Army’s next-generation battlefield sensor system, known as Launched Effects, is one step closer to entering service after a live demonstration involving active-duty forces at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in August 2025. Launched Effects is a term the Army uses to describe a class of compact systems—such as the Atlas 600 from AEVEX Aerospace—that […] The post U.S. Forces simulate strike on Russian howitzer during trials first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Washington Army National Guard’s 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team will be restructured into a Mobile Brigade as part of the U.S. Army’s broader transformation effort, officials confirmed. The shift reflects a major doctrinal update aimed at increasing speed, agility, and operational flexibility across the force. In a statement, Brig. Gen. Paul Sellars, commanding general […] The post Light vehicles to replace Strykers in Washington National Guard first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopter crews from the 1st Armored Division conducted deep strike live-fire exercises in Lithuania on September 9, just miles from the Belarusian border where Russia and Belarus have launched a joint military drill known as Zapad 2025. The training involved AH-64 helicopters assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, 1st […] The post U.S. Army gunships drill near Belarus border first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Japanese Ministry of Defense is moving forward with plans to deploy upgraded land-based Type 12 anti-ship missiles in Kyushu by 2026, drawing immediate and direct criticism from China’s Ministry of National Defense. According to media reports, the new missile variant will have extended range capabilities, placing parts of China’s coastal areas within striking distance. […] The post China condemns Japan’s extended-range missile program first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A multinational engine consortium developing the next-generation fighter engine for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) has taken a key step toward integration, aligning more closely with the program’s aircraft developers as preparations advance for first flight. The consortium—comprised of Japan’s IHI, the UK’s Rolls-Royce, and Italy’s Avio Aero—announced a new cooperation agreement with Edge […] The post Japan, UK, Italy tighten engine pact for sixth-gen fighter first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Here’s Subic Bay back in its US Navy heyday. Here she is today. That isn’t the real change. Look at what is happening on the western side of the bay. 19 years ago in 2006, just some undeveloped bayside. Today? Why is it important? Subic Bay, about 90 kilometers (55 miles) northwest of Manila, sits within striking distance of China. It is roughly 1,100 kilometers (684 miles) from Shenzhen and Taipei, 1,800 kilometers (1,120 miles) from Shanghai, and 2,800 kilometers (1,740 miles) from Beijing, putting it well within the range of China’s intermediate-range ballistic missiles. …and the world is a very different place than it was in the Duterte era. Big things are happening…

Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) has announced the successful completion of offshore firing trials using an electromagnetic railgun. The announcement was made via ATLA’s official X account on September 10. According to the statement, the tests were conducted from June through early July aboard the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s test vessel Asuka. ATLA confirmed […] The post Japan successfully tests ship-based railgun first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Royal Australian Navy has awarded Anduril Australia a A$1.7 billion (US$1.12 billion) contract to deliver a fleet of Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous submarines. The Royal Australian Navy opted to bypass conventional procurement processes and instead partnered directly with Anduril on development. The Ghost Shark program was co-developed and co-funded, enabling rapid prototyping, testing, and […] The post Australian Navy buys Ghost Shark autonomous submarines first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

South Korea is pushing forward with sweeping enhancements to its KF-21 Boramae fighter program, aiming to transform the domestically built aircraft into a full fifth-generation stealth platform. The plan includes internal weapons bays, advanced radar-evading materials, and a next-generation engine developed entirely in-country. According to South Korea’s 2026 defense budget proposal, the government is allocating […] The post South Korea to turn KF-21 into 5th-gen stealth jet first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Korean Air is developing KUS-FX collaborative combat aircraft, a compact unmanned system that effectively functions as a lightweight cruise missile. Designed for both air- and ground-based launch, the KUS-FX is intended to strike high-value targets at distances up to 600 kilometers, while also supporting reconnaissance and deception missions in contested airspace. The KUS-FX combines features […] The post Korean Air develops KUS-FX drone for deep strike first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

For the first time, South Korea’s most secretive military intelligence unit, the Korea Defense Intelligence Command (KDIC), has gone public with a call for new recruits. On August 25, 2025, the Korea Forces Network (KFN), South Korea’s official defense media outlet, released a recruitment video announcing that KDIC is accepting applications for non-commissioned officers. The […] The post South Korea’s secretive spy force goes public first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article