Raw Intel

France’s defense procurement agency, the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA), has spotlighted its multi-domain weapons testing site known as CALAMAR, located at Cazaux. The facility supports the evaluation of France’s most advanced combat systems, including the Rafale fighter, Mirage 2000, Tiger helicopter, guided munitions, anti-bunker bombs, and targeting technologies. In a statement released by the […] The post France showcases CALAMAR range for next-gen weapons testing first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Croatian robotics firm DOK-ING and Slovenian turret specialist Valhalla have unveiled a new integrated unmanned ground combat system, pairing the MV-8 Komodo robotic platform with the Mangart 25 AD remote-controlled turret. The joint system made its world debut this week during the SIDEC defense exhibition in Slovenia, backed by support from the Slovenian Armed Forces […] The post New robotic combat vehicle debuts at SIDEC show first appeared on Defence Blog.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

Shield AI, a defense technology company now valued at $5.3 billion, has announced the launch of the X-Bat, its first vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) autonomous fighter jet designed for combat. The company will unveil the new aircraft on Wednesday, positioning it as a central piece in the future of distributed airpower. According to Shield […] The post Shield AI develops world’s first autonomous VTOL fighter jet first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has unveiled an upgraded generation of its unmanned maritime strike platforms known as “Sea Baby,” which have already played a role in high-profile operations in the Black Sea. The drones were shown publicly for the first time in footage released by the SBU, which emphasized their combat-tested effectiveness and […] The post Ukraine unveils new Sea Baby naval drones first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukrainian forces have carried out a targeted strike on Russian aircraft stationed at an airfield in occupied Zaporizhzhia, eliminating two light planes recently adapted to intercept Ukrainian long-range drones. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) released a video of the operation on October 21, showing the attack taking place roughly 85 kilometers behind the front […] The post Ukrainian forces destroy Russian drone-interceptor aircraft first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

It has been six weeks since we started striking drug boats, and as we hit more, so are the objections rising to the surface. That is good. A free people should discuss and argue the point. Let’s pick up from the post linked to above. Before we start, I think we need to bring an item to the center of the conversation. It is the background to all that follows and a touchstone to all arguments. This, of course, does not include the deaths caused in the drug trade, the murder, torture, kidnapping, random violence and associated companion criminal enterprises both inside and outside the USA by those who feed the demand for drugs. So far this century, over 1 million Americans …

India’s defense exports received a boost this month as BrahMos Aerospace signed cruise missile contracts worth ₹4,000 crore (approximately $455 million) with two foreign countries, according to Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The announcement coincided with the ceremonial dispatch of the first batch of BrahMos missiles from the new BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility in […] The post India signs $455M BrahMos missile export deals first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Lockheed Martin has secured a $233 million contract to deliver its IRST21 Block II infrared search and track systems, along with initial spares, to the U.S. Navy and Air National Guard. The award supports deployment across multiple fighter platforms and follows the Navy’s recent declaration of Initial Operational Capability for the sensor. The IRST21 Block […] The post Lockheed wins $233M deal for advanced IRST sensors first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russian military-linked Telegram channels have released the first images of what they claim is a new jet-powered glide bomb, marking a rare visual confirmation of a weapon type previously reported in battlefield use but never seen publicly. The release comes amid growing concerns in Ukraine over stand-off munitions targeting critical infrastructure and rear-area positions. For […] The post Russia shows new jet-powered glide bomb first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The French Army’s 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment (35e Régiment d’Artillerie Parachutiste) carried out its first live-fire demonstration with the new PROTEUS counter-drone system at the Canjuers training area on October 18. According to the regiment, it is the first French Army unit to receive PROTEUS systems configured to the latest Standard 1 version. The 4th […] The post French paratroopers test new PROTEUS anti-drone system first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Hanwha Aerospace this week presented a new mobile rocket artillery concept, the High-Performance Launch Rocket System, or HPRS, at ADEX 2025. Military expert Mason Yonhak reported that the HPRS was shown for the first time, and that the system represents a lighter, more transportable adaptation of the Chunmoo family intended for coastal defense and expeditionary […] The post Hanwha unveils new HPRS rocket system at ADEX 2025 first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

South Korean Hanwha Aerospace used the ADEX 2025 exhibition to unveil the K-NIFV, a next-generation infantry fighting vehicle the company says was developed to cut costs, raise domestic content and respond to new threats exposed by the war in Ukraine. Built from the firm’s Redback design, the K-NIFV is being pitched for both export and […] The post South Korea unveils next-gen K-NIFV fighting vehicle first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Bell Textron, a major American aerospace manufacturer, has confirmed its readiness to supply its AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Militarnyi reported. The development follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in Washington between representatives of Bell Textron and the Ukrainian government, outlining prospects for industrial cooperation and […] The post Bell Textron ready to supply helicopters to Ukraine first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A growing scandal has erupted in Russia surrounding Kremlin television host and chief propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, after accusations surfaced that his foundation misused millions of rubles collected under the pretext of helping Russian troops. According to pro-war blogger Pozdnyakov, Solovyov’s SVR personal foundation collected over 100 million rubles ($1.2 million) from Russian citizens, supposedly to […] The post Russian Army gets $1.2M DIY carts instead of combat buggies first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

South Korean startup Nearthlab has introduced a new autonomous interceptor drone, KAiDEN, at the ADEX 2025 defense exhibition. The company says the drone is designed to intercept and neutralize airborne threats using high-speed flight and advanced onboard vision AI. According to Nearthlab, KAiDEN reaches speeds exceeding 250 km/h and can detect, track, and strike targets […] The post South Korean startup unveils high-speed interceptor drone first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

SummaryIn this conversation, Chris Brose, President and Chief Strategy Officer of Anduril, discusses the company’s mission to revolutionize defense technology by integrating commercial innovations into military applications. He emphasizes the need for mass-producible military capabilities, the importance of adaptability in modern warfare, and the challenges posed by the current U.S. acquisition system. Brose also highlights the significance of collaborative combat systems and international partnerships, particularly through the Ghost Shark program with the Australian Navy. He expresses optimism about the future of U.S. defense, advocating for a shift towards a more agile …

South Korean defense firm LIG Nex1 has introduced its next-generation unmanned ground vehicle, the G-Sword, during the ADEX 2025 exhibition in Seoul. The tracked robotic platform is designed for multi-role battlefield operations and features a turret-mounted cannon and the indigenous Raybolt anti-tank missile system. According to company information presented at the event, the G-Sword was […] The post LIG Nex1 unveils armed G-Sword ground robot first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Lockheed Martin has introduced its newest unmanned aerial system, Vectis, at the 2025 ADEX defense exhibition in South Korea. Developed by the company’s Skunk Works advanced projects division, the Vectis platform is intended to operate as part of a Family of Systems alongside fifth-generation aircraft, including the F-35. According to the company, the new drone […] The post Lockheed Martin debuts Vectis combat drone at ADEX 2025 first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

South Korea’s Ministry of Strategy and Finance has rejected the entire proposed budget for upgrading K1 tanks with air conditioning and positive pressure systems, despite internal temperatures reaching up to 50°C (122°F) during summer field evaluations. According to a briefing obtained by Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee, during a test […] The post South Korean K1 tank crews endure extreme heat first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article