Raw Intel

Ukraine’s 28th Mechanized Brigade has developed a robotic air defense platform that combines a 4×4 unmanned ground vehicle with a shoulder-fired Igla man-portable air defense system (MANPADS), according to a report from Militarnyi. The short-range air defense unit was developed independently by the brigade’s engineering team and is already credited with a combat success. “It […] The post Ukrainian soldiers develop robotic air defense system first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft have surpassed 12 million cumulative flight hours, marking a milestone achievement for one of the most enduring and versatile aircraft families in American military aviation. The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), based at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, announced the achievement on August 1. The milestone underscores the operational […] The post U.S. Navy F/A-18 and Growler fleet hits 12 million flight hours first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced that one of its earliest CH-53K King Stallion test aircraft is being transferred to a new role in support of aviation readiness. The Engineering Demonstration Model 1 (EDM-1), formerly used for flight testing at NAS Patuxent River, is now en route to the Center for Naval […] The post Retired CH-53K joins maintenance training program first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Australian Army is moving closer to fielding its new AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, with the first four units currently in final assembly at Boeing’s production facility in Mesa, Arizona. The helicopters are part of a broader acquisition program that will see 29 Apaches delivered to Australia, replacing the Army’s aging fleet of Eurocopter Tiger […] The post Australia prepares to receive first Apache gunships first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Germany’s Bundeswehr has commissioned Rheinmetall to deliver more than 1,000 new logistics vehicles under a procurement package valued at approximately €770 million ($891million). According to a company statement, the order includes 963 swap-body trucks—some equipped with protected driver cabins—and an additional 425 unprotected transport vehicles (UTVs) in both 4×4 and 8×8 configurations. In total, the […] The post Germany orders around 1,400 military trucks from Rheinmetall first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Slovakia-based defense manufacturer DefTech has released a new image of its Wolf 25 AD counter-drone combat vehicle, positioning the platform as a critical solution for today’s fast-evolving air threat environment. The company said the system has already completed successful trials and is currently deployed in Ukraine, where it continues to receive positive operational feedback. In […] The post DefTech releases new image of its drone hunter vehicle first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed Monday that its special operations unit “A” conducted a drone strike on the Russian-occupied Saky military airfield in Crimea overnight, damaging and destroying multiple combat aircraft and a stockpile of aviation munitions. According to an official statement released on August 4, unmanned aerial vehicles operated by the SBU successfully penetrated […] The post Ukrainian strike destroys Russian fighter jet first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A new image circulating on Chinese social media appears to show another next-generation combat aircraft undergoing flight testing—marking the third such design spotted in recent months, and underscoring China’s rapid expansion of its advanced airpower programs. The photo, which lacks a confirmed location or timestamp, shows a sharp-edged delta-wing aircraft with a distinct elongated nose […] The post New Chinese stealth aircraft spotted in test flight first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Shield AI is expanding its presence in Ukraine, where its autonomous systems are being tested under live combat conditions. In a recent message, James Lythgoe, Shield AI’s Ukraine managing director and a former U.K. Royal Marin, outlined the company’s efforts to support Ukrainian forces through on-the-ground operations, combat-driven innovation, and close cooperation with frontline units. […] The post Shield AI expands frontline role in Ukraine first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

South Korea’s military is under investigation over allegations that armed Apache helicopters conducted provocative flight operations near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) last year, accompanied by false radio transmissions suggesting imminent strikes on North Korean territory. The operations, reportedly ordered by higher command, are now part of a broader probe into whether Seoul sought to […] The post Seoul accused of using Apache helicopters to provoke North Korea first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The United Arab Emirates is reportedly supplying Chinese-made FK-2000 short-range air defense systems to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) via Chad, according to a report published Sunday by Clash Report. The FK-2000, developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), is designed to counter a variety of aerial threats, including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise […] The post UAE sends Chinese air defense systems to Sudan’s RSF first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Despite acquiring hundreds of M1 Abrams main battle tanks over the past two years, Poland currently lacks the infrastructure to maintain the fleet’s gas turbine engines—a critical shortfall that defense officials now acknowledge was not fully addressed during the procurement process. In an interview with Gazeta Prawna, Dr. Jacek Goszczyński, Director of Military Aviation Plant […] The post Poland faces Abrams engine maintenance gap first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

It’s time to catch up on the latest issues on the maritime and national security front and get out of the summer heat. Midrats goes LIVE today at 5pm Eastern in our free-for-all format. Hop in the show chat room and offer your topics and question…or observations of the topics we’ll discuss. You can join live at this link, but if you are reading this after the show, just check this Substack post later Sunday when I’ll update this page with the podcast. COME JOIN US! Leave a comment Share This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. View the full article

New images of the USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), a Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer, have reignited scrutiny across social media over the operational condition and long-term viability of the U.S. Navy’s most advanced surface combatant. Photos taken during a recent port visit to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Japan show extensive discoloration, corrosion streaks, and visible […] The post U.S. stealth destroyer’s condition shocks social media first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

South Korea’s domestically developed KF-21 Boramae is emerging as a potential candidate for India’s Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, as New Delhi looks to address ongoing gaps in its combat air fleet. According to Indian defense media reports published on August 1, the KF-21 is being evaluated amid growing interest from the Indian Air Force […] The post India may buy South Korea’s KF-21 fighter jet first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

South Korea’s Army has conducted a live demonstration of an airborne FPV kamikaze drone launch from a KUH-1 Surion helicopter, testing its ability to intercept aerial targets in flight. The drill involved ejecting an FPV (First-Person View) drone, equipped with a live explosive charge, from a Surion utility helicopter. Once airborne, the drone was remotely […] The post South Korea tests kamikaze drone launch from helicopter first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Pakistan Army has formally inducted its first batch of Chinese-made Z-10ME attack helicopters during a ceremony held at the Multan Army Aviation Base. Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir oversaw the ceremony and personally inspected one of the newly delivered helicopters. During the event, he was seen warmly greeting Chinese personnel involved […] The post Pakistan inducts Chinese-made Z-10ME attack helicopters first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Army has awarded BAE Systems a $139.6 million contract modification for continued production of the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV), a key platform replacing aging M113s across Armored Brigade Combat Teams. The award, announced under contract W56HZV-23-C-0024, brings the total value of the AMPV program to over $2.28 billion. According to the Department of […] The post U.S. Army buys more AMPV tracked vehicles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Army has awarded software firm Palantir a $10 billion enterprise agreement aimed at consolidating and expanding its role across multiple defense programs involving artificial intelligence, data integration, and digital battlefield systems. The firm-fixed-price contract was issued on July 31 by Army Contracting Command at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, under solicitation number W519TC-25-D-0039. The […] The post Palantir wins $10B U.S. Army AI contract first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Pentagon has awarded Lockheed Martin a $9.5 billion contract to increase production of its AGM-158 series of long-range missiles. According to a company statement issued on July 31, the contract supports increased deliveries of both the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), two of the U.S. military’s most […] The post Pentagon awards $9.5B to Lockheed for long-range missiles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article