Raw Intel

So, here we go. Point of order: in the last 24 hours there has been a lot of reaction to the headline, but not more than that. This is only a couple of minutes, so listen to the whole thing. Stop. Some of you did not listen to the whole thing. Scroll up and hit play. I’ll wait for you here. . . . OK, I look forward to the plan to grow the fleet after nuking the program that was supposed to help grow the fleet. Excuse my cynicism, but I’ve played Charlie Brown to OPNAV/NAVSEA’s Lucy and the football way too many times to expect it to magically work this time. Perhaps it will, but we are just about out of time. As we wait for the magic beans brief, we need to review how we…

Solus Power has secured a new contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to develop a ruggedized portable power system intended to enhance energy resilience across land, air, and maritime operations. According to a press release from Solus Power, the company has been awarded funding through the Defence and Security Accelerator’s (DASA) themed competition, […]View the full article

The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $160 million Foreign Military Sale to Canada for Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) and associated equipment, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced. The agency has delivered the required certification to Congress, clearing the way for the proposed transfer. According to the DSCA, the Government of Canada […] The post U.S. approves $160 million sale of JLTVs to Canada first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) has released the first images of its newly acquired Dassault Rafale. The aircraft, a two-seat Rafale B carrying tail number T-0301, represents the first of 42 jets ordered by Indonesia under a 2022 contract with Dassault Aviation. According to TNI AU, the photographs were taken in Mérignac, France, where […] The post Indonesia unveils first Rafale fighter jet first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

SIG SAUER announced on Tuesday that the Swiss Armed Forces have officially selected the P320 pistol as their new standard-issued sidearm. The decision is part of Switzerland’s broader New Generation Project aimed at modernizing core equipment for its military personnel. According to a company statement, the selection followed a rigorous competitive process conducted by Armasuisse, […]View the full article

The United States Air Force has announced a revised acquisition plan for the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program, confirming that a major restructuring effort will be completed by the end of 2026, with initial operational capability targeted for the early 2030s. The update was released by the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs […]View the full article

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a Patriot air defense system previously stationed in Israel has been operating in Ukraine for the past month, strengthening the country’s ability to counter Russian missile and drone attacks. He also announced that Kyiv will receive two additional Patriot systems this fall as part of ongoing efforts to expand […] The post Israeli Patriot now active in Ukraine, Zelensky says first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

President Donald Trump has downplayed recent claims by Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding a test of the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, pointing instead to the proximity and capabilities of American nuclear submarines. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One during his trip to Asia, Trump dismissed the relevance of the missile’s long-range performance. “They know […] The post Trump shrugs off Putin’s missile boast first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy moved one step closer to a major milestone in their joint next-generation fighter program this week, as the three defense ministers met by video conference to advance the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP). The Japanese Ministry of Defense said the meeting took place on Nov. 25 from 5:00 p.m. […]View the full article

Pentagon’s No.1 weapons supplier, Lockheed Martin, is joining with President Donald Trump’s administration and South Korean industry to strengthen access to critical materials vital for national defense. The initiative, announced by Michael Williamson, President of Lockheed Martin International, is aimed at building a more resilient supply chain for technologies essential to both U.S. and allied […] The post Lockheed Martin, South Korean Zinc sign critical materials deal first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukraine launched a coordinated series of deep strikes overnight, damaging a Russian Buyan-M missile corvette operating in Lake Onega and targeting key elements of Moscow’s military infrastructure across several regions, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on October 4. The Buyan-M — a small missile ship capable of launching Kalibr cruise […] The post Ukrainian strike hits missile corvette deep inside Russia first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russia’s state-owned United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has delivered another batch of Su-34 fighter-bombers to the Russian Aerospace Forces. According to a statement from Rostec, the aircraft have successfully completed all required ground and flight tests and have now been handed over to their military operator. The company said production remains on schedule and emphasized the […] The post New wave of Su-34 bombers joins Russian strike fleet first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council and former president Dmitry Medvedev accused Finland of preparing a forward staging area for an attack on Russia, citing Helsinki’s NATO membership and growing defense cooperation with the alliance. Medvedev claimed that Finland had “taken a course toward preparing for war” under the guise of defensive measures. “It is […] The post Russia accuses Finland of preparing for War first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Lockheed Martin says it has delivered the 750th HIMARS launcher, marking what the company describes as a milestone in the program’s history and an indicator of increasing demand among the U.S. Army and partner nations. “From the battlefields of today to the evolving threats of tomorrow, HIMARS has consistently delivered precision and readiness to the […]View the full article

The Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force will receive three additional NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopters (NFHs) under a new contract signed today between NHIndustries (NHI) and the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA), further expanding the Dutch Navy’s maritime aviation fleet. According to a press release from NHIndustries, the helicopters will be assembled by Leonardo in […]View the full article

China may have begun construction of its first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at a major shipyard in northeastern China, according to an analysis of satellite imagery obtained by a Japanese think tank, raising new questions about Beijing’s long-term naval ambitions in the Pacific. According to the National Institute for Basic Policy Research (NIPPR), satellite images taken […]View the full article

The Republic of Korea Navy has launched its first Changbogo-III Batch-II class submarine, the Jang Yeong-sil (SS-087), during a formal ceremony held Wednesday at Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje. The vessel is the lead boat in the second batch of South Korea’s indigenously developed diesel-electric submarines and is expected to enhance the country’s underwater deterrence […] The post South Korea launches new indigenous attack submarine first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

DARPA, the Pentagon’s advanced research agency responsible for some of the most consequential technological breakthroughs in American military history, has issued a request for information targeting metals producers, ceramics manufacturers, and composites makers with an unusual proposition: share your production data, and we will give you AI tools that make your factory perform better than […]View the full article

A Chinese turbojet engine has been recovered from the wreckage of a new Russian glide bomb used against Ukrainian positions, confirming that Russia is actively modifying its air‑dropped munitions to extend their stand‑off range. The discovery, first reported by Militarnyi, provides direct physical evidence of turbojet integration into the latest Russian bomb designs. According to […] The post Russia’s new glide bomb uses Chinese-made turbojet engine first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has taken a major step toward exporting its domestically developed supersonic jet trainer, HÜRJET, to Europe through a newly signed strategic partnership with Airbus. The agreement, which outlines plans to deliver up to 30 HÜRJET aircraft to Spain, was formalized during the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul. According […] The post Spain to buy 30 Turkish Hürjet jet trainers first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article