Raw Intel

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has unveiled its latest unmanned weapon platform, the “Ragnarök” Low-Cost Cruise Missile (LCCM), engineered for high-volume, precision strike operations at a fraction of the cost of legacy systems. The system is designed to meet emerging demands for affordable, long-range firepower in contested environments. According to the company, Ragnarök delivers a […] The post Kratos unveils cruise missile for $150,000 first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Aerospace giant Boeing has been awarded a series of multiyear contracts valued at approximately $2.7 billion to manufacture more than 3,000 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) seekers through 2030, the company announced. The seekers are built by Boeing for Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for the PAC-3 interceptor, and play a central role in enabling the […] The post Boeing boosts PAC-3 production in $2.7B deal first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Army has awarded Lockheed Martin an Integrated Fires Protection Capability (IFPC) 2nd Interceptor project agreement to advance the service’s layered air and missile defense network. According to Lockheed Martin, the program will provide an integrated air and missile defense solution to bridge the operational gap between short-range air defense systems and the Patriot […] The post U.S. Army taps Lockheed for new air defense interceptor first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

NATO has begun its annual nuclear deterrence training exercise, Steadfast Noon 25, involving 70 aircraft and approximately 2,000 personnel from 14 Allied nations, the alliance confirmed this week. The long-scheduled drill, which runs from October 13 to 24, is part of NATO’s recurring efforts to validate its nuclear posture and joint force readiness. The exercise […] The post NATO conducts exercises for fighter-based nuclear roles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

India’s MKU Limited has signed a ₹660 crore ($75 million) contract with the Indian Army for the supply of nearly 30,000 night vision weapon sights, in what the company describes as one of the largest electro-optics deals in the country’s defense sector to date. According to MKU, the agreement covers 29,762 Netro NW 3000 night […] The post Indian army buys almost 30,000 night vision weapon sights first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Marine Corps’ Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542 (VMFA-542) has returned from a five-month deployment to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility. Operating under CENTCOM’s Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central), VMFA-542 flew over 1,099 combat sorties and logged 4,736 mishap-free flight hours, according to the Marine Corps. During the deployment, the […] The post U.S. Marine F-35Bs return after combat missions in Middle East first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) has conducted a large-scale maintenance drill featuring dozens of Type 15 light tanks, captured in recent imagery from the 54th Heavy Combined Arms Brigade, operating under the Tibet Military Region. The footages—originally shared by defense observer Jesus Roman and other open-source analysts—show rows of Type 15 light […] The post China holds mass tank readiness drill in Tibet first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukrainian defense officials claim that Russian forces shot down their own military aircraft over Crimea during an attempted interception of drones, according to a statement by Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk. “So actively were they trying to repel Ukrainian attacks that they ended up shooting down their own aircraft today over Crimea,” Pletenchuk said. “The fight […] The post Ukraine: Russia shoots down own aircraft over Crimea first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries and German defense firm Taurus Systems GmbH are in early discussions on technical cooperation for cruise missile engines, according to several sources familiar with the matter. As reported by Reuters, Taurus has expressed interest in Kawasaki’s compact, fuel-efficient turbofan engine currently under development for Japan’s next-generation anti-ship missiles. The engine is […] The post Japan may provide engines for Germany’s Taurus missiles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

In response to mounting losses from low-cost Ukrainian FPV drone strikes, Russia’s VNII “Gradient” has developed a new counter-UAV system named “Multik”, designed to protect helicopters and ground forces from first-person view (FPV) drone attacks. The new system was detailed in promotional materials released by KRET, a division of Russia’s defense electronics sector. The system […] The post Russia equips helicopters with new drone defense system first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Ground Force is moving away from traditional close-quarters tank engagements, instead focusing on long-range networked warfare, according to a frontpage report by PLA Daily on Monday. The change is being driven by the deployment of the new-generation Type 100 main battle tank, described as a platform capable of linking […] The post Chinese new tank pushes warfare beyond line of sight first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A previously unseen image of Russia’s Su-57 multirole fighter has surfaced on pro-Kremlin social media channels, showing the aircraft’s internal tail-mounted weapons bay in detail. The release appears to be part of a broader effort by Moscow to promote the export potential of the fifth-generation jet as it seeks foreign funding to complete development. The […] The post Rare photo reveals Su-57’s hidden weapon bay first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

United States Forces Korea (USFK) has lodged a formal protest with the South Korean government over a search and seizure operation carried out at Osan Air Base in July by a special counsel team. The protest was submitted on October 3 by U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. David Iverson, USFK’s deputy commander and head of […] The post U.S. Forces protest raid on Osan Air Base first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

As some of you are aware, I am forcing myself to finish General Kenneth McKenzie, USMC (Ret.)’s book on his tour as the Commander at CENTCOM, The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century. My opinion of his performance at CENTCOM is well known to readers. However, Tom Ricks subtly challenged me to read the book. I’ve compromised and checked it out as an audiobook. (spoiler: my opinion of his performance gets worse with each minute of the book). Anyway, in order to get through this before it ruins my early fall, I’ve sped the audio up to 1.25X speed to get through the remaining 2+ hours I have left. I’m at the point right before the Abbey Gate attack, and it …

Israel-based Aero-Sentinel has shared with Defence Blog the results of an independent acoustic test, confirming that its Aerosol G2 drone outperformed leading commercial models, including DJI’s Matrice 350 and Autel Alpha, in overall noise reduction and frequency control. The objective test was conducted by Galit Environmental Quality Company, an accredited Israeli organization specializing in acoustic […] The post Israeli G2 covert drone beats competitors in noise test first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

As Western armies adapt to lessons from the war in Ukraine, France’s 2nd Marine Infantry Regiment has begun training its soldiers to use shotguns against small aerial threats, including low-cost FPV drones. “In an environment of constant aerial threat, the regiment is expanding its counter-drone capabilities,” the French military unit said in a recent statement. […] The post French army adopts hard-kill tactics for drone threats first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Japanese Ministry of Defense is exploring the potential for low-cost, easily mounted drone munitions as part of a broader effort to expand its unmanned capabilities and accelerate the deployment of scalable, mass-produced strike systems. According to an October 14 announcement by the Ground Staff Office, the Ministry has issued a formal Request for Information […] The post Japan eyes cheap drone bombs for mass deployment first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Kalashnikov Concern has delivered a new batch of SV-98 sniper rifles to Russian forces under a 2025 state contract, the company said in a statement this week. The rifles, chambered in 7.62×54R, are widely used in combat operations and were handed over on schedule, the manufacturer noted. According to the company, the SV-98 is equipped […] The post Russia sends new sniper rifles to frontline troops first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Indonesia will acquire 42 Chinese-built Chengdu J-10C fighter jets in a deal valued at over $9 billion, marking the country’s first major non-Western aircraft procurement, according to top defense officials in Jakarta. Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin confirmed the move on Wednesday, stating that the aircraft, produced by China’s Chengdu Aerospace Corporation, would soon be flying […] The post Indonesia buys Chinese J-10 fighter jets first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division has taken a major step toward soldier-driven battlefield innovation with the creation of a new lightweight, low-cost FPV-style drone designed to deliver precision bomb strikes. Developed under the newly established Robotics and Autonomous Integration Directorate (RAID), the Attritable Battlefield Enabler 1.01 (ABE 1.01) is part of the division’s push […] The post U.S. Soldiers unveil DIY bomb-drone for frontline strikes first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article