Raw Intel

A Lithuanian defense startup has unveiled a new smart targeting module for air-dropped munitions, offering a domestically developed solution for precision strike operations even in environments where GPS signals are denied or degraded. According to Darius Antanaitis, a defense expert, the system is produced by Lithuanian deep-tech company PDKinematics and is designed to be integrated […] The post Lithuanian startup develops smart munition for drones first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukrainian company Fulltime Robotics has presented a working prototype of its new anti-drone laser system, dubbed SlimBeam, designed specifically to engage and neutralize small FPV drones. The system was showcased during IRON DEMO 2025, where it drew attention for its compact size and directed-energy capabilities. According to an exclusive report by Oboronka, the SlimBeam laser […] The post Ukrainian startup develops lightweight drone-killer laser first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Taiwan has taken delivery of its first batch of U.S.-made Altius-600M purpose-built loitering munitions from defense firm Anduril Industries. According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, Minister Wellington Koo met on Tuesday with Anduril founder Palmer Luckey in Taipei following the drone handover. The meeting took place amid ongoing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and […] The post Taiwan receives U.S.-made Altius loitering munitions first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has secured a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) contract for a U.S. Navy logistics support ship—its first such award following the recent U.S.-Korea shipbuilding tariff negotiations. According to a statement released by HD Hyundai Heavy on August 6, the company will carry out scheduled maintenance on the USNS Alan […] The post South Korean shipbuilder wins U.S. Navy repair contract first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

First things first, as it is the focus of the report, let’s go to the chart room and properly define the, “Central Arctic Ocean.” There it is, the horizontally shaded bit outside everyone’s EEZ. The chart comes from the report in question by RAND: The Future of Maritime Presence in the Central Arctic Ocean. Before we dive in—and the Front Porch knows exactly where I am going here—I need to point out again what we see at the very top where all the red, green, and blue lines intersect. You can’t miss it, and it should have you screaming to whatever direction The Pentagon is from where you sit. Yes kiddies, that is the Bering Strait, half of which is ours, and the other sid…

As the UK Ministry of Defence prepares to replace its aging SA80 rifle family, Heckler & Koch UK is making the case for its participation in Project Grayburn. In a recent interview with Calibre Defence, company CEO Paul McDonald discussed the firm’s current work supporting the SA80 platform and its readiness to contribute to the […] The post Heckler & Koch pursues British Army rifle contract first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Hanwha Systems has officially launched mass production of its active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system for South Korea’s next-generation KF-21 fighter jet. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), in partnership with Hanwha Systems, hosted a rollout ceremony on August 5 at the company’s Yongin Research and Development Center. The event was attended by more […] The post South Korea begins mass production of AESA radar for KF-21 fighter first appeared on Defence Blog.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

Turkey’s leading defense electronics company, ASELSAN, reported robust financial performance for the first half of 2025, driven by sustained demand across core military sectors and rising export activity. According to the company’s financial report released this week, ASELSAN generated 53.7 billion Turkish Lira ($1.3 billion) in revenue during the first six months of the year—an […] The post Turkish defense giant lands $2.8B in defense deals first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Canadian defense manufacturer GSCI Advanced Photonics is gaining attention from military and law enforcement users for its electro-optical systems that emphasize precision, ruggedness, and modular integration. Known formally as General Starlight Company Inc. and based in Vaughan, Ontario, GSCI’s product line is increasingly used in operational environments where reliability under pressure is non-negotiable. At the […] The post Canadian tactical gear gains combat credibility first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Turkish-made Kirpi armored vehicle, once used in joint patrols alongside Russian forces in Syria, is now rolling through Ukrainian forests, serving on the front lines of a very different war. Originally developed by Turkish defense company BMC in response to growing demand for mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles, the Kirpi — meaning “hedgehog” in Turkish […] The post From Syria to Ukraine: Turkish Kirpis face a new war first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has made its decision, and it’s a good one. Via Mike Yeo at Breaking Defense; Australia has selected Japan’s improved Mogami-class frigate design for its future fleet of general-purpose frigates, in a deal with further cements ties between the two US Indo-Pacific allies and gives Japan its first major defense export. “Following a rigorous and competitive tender process, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Mogami-class frigate was assessed as best able to quickly meet the capability requirements and strategic needs of the Australian Defence Force (ADF),” said the Australian Defence Department in a media release. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will…

Russia is increasingly fielding its Su-57 Felon stealth fighter jets in combat operations against Ukraine, according to multiple sources, including the aviation-focused community “Sonyashnyk,” which is closely linked to Ukrainian military observers. The reports suggest a shift in both the intensity and sophistication of Su-57 employment. Russian forces are reportedly refining armament options and testing […] The post Russia expands use of Su-57 fighter in Ukraine 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

The U.S. Marine Corps is moving forward with full-rate production of its new Amphibious Combat Vehicle armed variant, the ACV-30, awarding nearly $300 million in contracts to BAE Systems and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. According to recent announcements from the Department of Defense, the Marine Corps has placed firm orders for 31 ACV-30 vehicles from […] The post U.S. Marines buy more ACV-30 combat vehicles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Australian government has announced the selection of Japan’s upgraded Mogami-class frigate as the preferred platform for the Royal Australian Navy’s next-generation general purpose surface combatants. The decision, revealed on August 5, moves Canberra into the next stage of negotiations with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and the Japanese government. According to the Albanese government, the […] The post Japan to supply Australia’s next-gen warships first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Electro Optic Systems (EOS), the Australia-based defense technology firm, has announced its first international order for a 100-kilowatt-class high-power laser weapon system. According to a company release issued Tuesday, a European NATO member state has placed a €71.4 million (approximately $82 million) order for the system, which will be produced at EOS’s Singapore facility and […] The post Mystery NATO customer buys Australian-made laser weapon first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Poland has signed a new contract with South Korea for the supply and local assembly of K2 and K2PL main battle tanks. Under the agreement, the modernized K2PL variant will be produced at the Bumar-Łabędy plant in Gliwice, a facility operated by the state-owned Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ). Bumar-Łabędy last produced tanks in 2009, delivering […] The post Why Poland gave up on its own tank ambitions first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Sadly, not everyone subscribes to the Midrats Podcast, I wanted to build off part of yesterday’s podcast on the latest developments in the US Navy’s drone programs. My big takeaway is that the surface force—and the subsurface drone programs as well—are not going to (or more likely be allowed to) repeat the same mistake for our Navy and the nation made when the pointy-nosed people at NAVAIR killed the promise that was the X-47B a dozen years ago. Though my desire is for ‘more faster’, when I take a deep breath and step back, on balance, this leaves me quite happy with the plan. Joseph Trevithick over at TWZ has a great summary of the state of play. The Naval Sea Systems Co…

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